The LOR Foundation and Southwest Health System announced Wednesday that they are collaborating to offer lunches and social gatherings for local adults who are age 60 or older.
The idea came about from local senior citizen Bill Stroop, 72, who said he would like to see a lunch or some other programming in the community to “address loneliness and isolation among older adults,” according to Jaycee Hart from Southwest Health System.
Stroop, who has only lived in the area for three years, said he realized he nearly had no social life in the community.
“I’ve been active all my life, but now my knees are bad, so I’m not meeting people on the courts, bike rides or hiking trails like I did in the past,” Stroop said.
Stroop said that he remembered that his parents used to enjoy having lunches with other seniors, and he decided to help kick-start a program to help others like him make connections in the community.
While seniors can get lunches at the senior center, Stroop’s idea would be privately organized and funded.
According to information provided by Southwest Health System, it is thought that there are about 7,000 seniors 60 years old and older in Montezuma County.
“There are many seniors who could benefit from having a tasty meal in the company of other friendly seniors,” Southwest Health System said.
In December 2023, Stroop started the Senior Friends Lunch Group, which was offered one day each week in the hospital cafe with about 20 different menu items to choose from.
Over the next 24 weeks, 346 meals were served to seniors, with the lunch averaging a little more that 14 each time, and 90 people participated in total.
To help expand to more people per week, the lunch is now expanding with the help of Southwest Health System and the LOR Foundation.
A grant provided by the LOR Foundation will provide “tasty food at a significantly reduced price” every weekday (except holidays) at noon in the Southwest Memorial Hospital cafeteria.
Attending seniors can choose between 20 menu items for $5 per meal and enjoy each other’s company while they eat.
“All seniors (aged 60+) are invited to attend. This program is intended to subsidize up to 3000 meals for participating seniors. The program is designed to serve approximately 16 people per day and should continue for approximately 8 to 9 months,” Southwest Health System said. “Come for the great food. But please know that you are helping and lifting up other seniors just by being part of a social connection.”
“I feel honored when you join us for lunch,” Stroop said.
According to a 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, about one-in-two adults in America report experiencing loneliness and feel isolated, invisible and insignificant. Loneliness is far more than a bad feeling, it is also associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death.
The mortality impact of being socially disconnected or lonely is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
“The LOR Foundation and Southwest Health System recognize the risks of being socially isolated, but they also recognize the healing effects of social connection and community. Together they are taking action to facilitate situations in which older adults can connect with others. Sharing a meal goes back to the very earliest days of humankind. It is a fundamental way that humans connect with each other,” the press release stated.
More information can be found by contacting Stroop at billstroop86@gmail.com.
