On Monday, a new helpline for the elderly, organized by the organization “Ældre Sagen” (The Elderly Case), will open. The new helpline, called “Ældretelefonen” (The Elderly Phone), is designed to allow the elderly to anonymously share their thoughts and problems. For some elderly individuals, there is no one in their lives they can turn to, while others find it difficult to share certain thoughts with close relations. The Elderly Phone aims to address this need. Project manager Vibeke Bruun-Toft explains that the initiative is particularly targeted towards the elderly who feel lonely or are in a situation they do not wish to share with their family or friends. Examples could include situations where a spouse shows signs of dementia, and one feels disloyal discussing it. The 46 volunteers who will man the helpline consist of nurses and other professionals with experience in close human contact. Their role is to listen, be present, and ask clarifying questions. The goal is for the elderly callers to gain new perspectives and options after the conversation.
Studies show that loneliness among the elderly is a growing issue. According to the National Health Profile 2021, 27 percent of men and 34 percent of women feel lonely. Several municipalities are trying to combat this issue through various initiatives. For example, in the fall of 2023, Middelfart Kommune (Middelfart Municipality) opened a helpline in collaboration with Ældre Sagen. Although the initiative was well-intentioned, it proved to be challenging to encourage the elderly to use the helpline. Jakob Slot Schmidt, deputy head of Senior and Health in Middelfart Kommune, explains that the local helpline receives only about two calls per week, despite high hopes for the project. The Elderly Phone can be reached at the phone number 32 210 210.