A charity is matching Australian seniors who are living independently with volunteer visitorsA landmark report into loneliness has found almost one in three Australians feel lonelyHe has a hearing impairment and has been living on his own since his wife passed away seven years ago.
Mr Ball has no family living nearby and before he met volunteer Dale Berrie, days could drift by without him talking to anyone. But that turned around two years ago when 57-year-old Mr Berrie started visiting Mr Ball in his home as part of a Bendigo charity called In Great Company. The initiative pairs volunteer visitors with seniors in their community to help them continue to live independently and to build connections within the community.Visits easing social isolation"I'd never experienced isolation before and then I started noticing older people from a point of loneliness and wanted to do something to help," he said.Mr Ball says Mr Berrie's visits have inspired him to complete an artwork after decades.
Recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed approximately 15 per cent of older men and 20 per cent of older women often reported feeling lonely.