COVID-19 Response
OSU College of Social Work’s Age-Friendly Columbus and Franklin County Partners with local organizations to help isolated older adults
To assist isolated older adults, The Ohio State University College of Social Work’s Age-Friendly Columbus and Franklin County initiative is partnering with Columbus City Council, the Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resource Center and other local organizations to establish the new Friendly Phone Line. The Friendly Phone Line at 614/993-3614 is available to older adults in the greater Columbus area who are looking informal conversation and social connection. Staffed by College of Social Work students, staff and faculty volunteers, the Friendly Phone line is intended to combat loneliness in the community during this unprecedented time of social distancing. These calls are not intended to be a space to provide counseling, case management, or health information/recommendations.
The partnership also launched a program that packs and delivers 200 necessity bags each week to older adults across Franklin County. Bags contain three-to-five days’ worth of shelf stable food, dependent upon availability through the Mid-Ohio Foodbank, as well as other necessities like soap, shampoo and toilet paper. Educational materials, such as Files of Life (a list of contact information used in emergencies), community resources, notes of encouragement and Census 2020 information, are included in the bags as well.
