Friendship Line saves Seniors' lives

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Max S. used to anticipate the holidays with cheery enthusiasm. Now, his friends and family gone, he awaits them with some measure of dread. Living alone in San Francisco, Max stays connected to others through the Friendship Line, the nation's only hotline dedicated to the needs of depressed, isolated and suicidal elders. Max calls the Friendship Line five times per week by phone. But, this December 10, the Friendship Line will come to Max and he is filled with hopeful holiday anticipation once again.

Motorized cable cars filled with carolers will be dispatched to Max and dozens of other elders to bring a dose of warmth and cheer to the places they call home. "Cable Car Caroling" is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The Friendship Line itself, a program of the San Francisco-based non-profit Institute on Aging, has served thousands of elders a year for over 30 years.

Patrick Arbore, director, started the Friendship Line in 1973. "Older people have the highest rates of suicide of any population group in our country," says Arbore. "They need a special place that is geared just for them." He vividly remembers a harrowing call from a suicidal elder: "She was ready to go up on the roof of her building and jump ... It was 2:00 a.m. We talk to her at length and told her that she mattered to us. Finally, she agreed to stay inside. I think our being there saved her life." The Friendship Line is available throughout the country at 1-800-971-0016.

In addition to providing a place for people to call, the line also makes outgoing calls to isolated seniors, and provides counseling in the homes of elders who cannot get out. "The Cable Car Caroling event is an outgrowth of our home counseling program," says Arbore. "People can feel isolated and sad around the holidays. Having our visit to look forward to makes a big difference."

Former San Francisco Mayor, Willie Brown, will broadcast from the caroling event on 960 AM, QUAKE Radio. The event is a fundraiser for the Friendship Line which depends on private donations.