A new partnership between the Area Agency on Aging and the City of Phoenix called "Hi Neighbor" will offer weekly telephone reassurance calls for emotional and social support for older adults who may be isolated, feeling anxious and alone and unable to connect with regular visitors.

City of Phoenix residents aged 60 and over can sign up for the free program by calling the Area Agency’s 24-Hour Senior Help Line at 602-264-4357, according to a release.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine indicated in a report that even before the pandemic, nearly one-fourth of older Americans were socially isolated and about one-third of middle-aged and older adults experienced loneliness.

“Even without the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, many seniors in our community experience loneliness, anxiety and fear because they may be isolated or living alone. The coronavirus has intensified those challenges exponentially and this program is designed to provide an important level of comfort,” Area Agency President and CEO Mary Lynn Kasunic said in the release. “Our highly trained staff knows the right questions to ask, how to build rapport and how to effectively and efficiently check on their needs.”

For more information about the Area Agency, go to aaaphx.org.