For over 50 years, LeadingAge Minnesota business partner member Friends & Co has been creating connections and friendships for older adults. Propelled by the pandemic, the organization has expanded services aimed at loneliness and isolation statewide and redoubled its focus on fostering connection and companionship for happy, healthy aging.

Recently, representatives from Friends & Co (formerly Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly) shared their story and service opportunities with the Adult Day Services and Assisted Living Committees of LeadingAge Minnesota.

All of us who work in this field know residents or family members of residents who would benefit from additional connections.

Take the time this holiday season to share Friends & Co's services within your community. They welcome referrals to all their programs.

Opportunities to Connect

Through the Coffee Talk program, a drop-in phone line instantly connects older adult callers with caring “Coffee Talkers” for friendly one-to-one conversation. The line is free and confidential. All callers need to connect is a phone.

Dial 877-238-2282 for a toll-free connection. Locally, you can call any of the three numbers:

• 612-746-0728
• 218-293-4412
• 507-936-0317
• 715-406-4871

The link is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-noon.

Phone Companions pairs older adults with caring, dedicated phone friends for a lasting one-on-one friendship.

Like Phone Companions, Visiting Companions pairs older adults for one-to-one relationships with caring volunteers, though the connection takes place in person. Currently, this program is available in the Twin Cities metro only.

To refer an older adult for Phone Companions or Visiting Companions:

• Call 612-746-0737
• Email: Sandy at sodonnell@friendsco.org

To request a presentation or interactive friendship workshop, contact Georgia at 612-825-2349 or gafton@friendsco.org.