65 Volunteers Help 109 Seniors Age at Home in Washburn County

Living independently in your own home shouldn't become impossible just because you get older. In Washburn County, Wisconsin, 65 volunteers are making sure it doesn't have to be.

Neighbor to Neighbor is a nonprofit helping 109 seniors and adults with disabilities stay in their own homes instead of moving to institutions or burdening family members. The services are completely free, funded by local donors, businesses, and community grants.

The volunteer work covers the basics that make independent living possible. Volunteers shop for groceries, deliver food pantry items, and distribute emergency food boxes. They provide rides to doctor appointments and help with household tasks that become difficult with age.

But the program goes beyond practical support. Volunteers make friendly phone calls, send handmade cards, and visit seniors who might otherwise spend days without seeing another person. Local youth groups even pitch in with yard work.

The need is real. Research shows that 90% of seniors prefer staying in their own homes over any alternative. Health experts call this "aging in place," and studies confirm it promotes better mental health, higher life satisfaction, and stronger self-esteem.

The flip side is serious too. Living alone can lead to dangerous isolation, which increases risks of dementia, heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. Social connection isn't just nice to have for older adults. It's essential for health.

That's what makes Neighbor to Neighbor so effective. The program tackles both sides of the aging challenge at once.

The Ripple Effect

The real power here is community buy-in. Over 70 local businesses sponsor the program, from banks and health systems to coffee shops and golf clubs. Trinity Lutheran Endowment and CCF Bank lead as Gold Sponsors, while dozens of smaller businesses contribute what they can.

This isn't charity handed down from above. It's neighbors taking care of neighbors, funded by the community that benefits from keeping seniors connected and independent.

The volunteers aren't professionals. They're regular people giving time to make sure an older adult gets to the store, receives a birthday card, or hears a friendly voice on the phone. Small acts that add up to the difference between isolation and independence.

Washburn County's rural character makes the program even more critical. Without public transportation or nearby family, seniors in rural areas face unique challenges that volunteers help solve one ride, one conversation, one grocery trip at a time.

For older adults who've lived in their communities for decades, staying home means staying connected to the places and people they know. Neighbor to Neighbor makes that possible.

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