Options for Connecting Remotely with Program Participants

Social Interaction is essential for physical and mental health and well-being. There are many ways nutrition programs can provide participants with 

socialization opportunities, even in a remote environment. The following comparison provides an overview of a few commonly used methods.

Outreach type Overview Pros Cons

Automated 

telephone calls

Participants receive daily automated 

phone calls. If they do not answer after 

three attempts, the service notifies a 

relative, friend, or neighbor. If no one on 

the notification list answers the phone, 

the service alerts the local police to check 

on the program participant.

• Does not require staff or volunteer 

support.

• The only technology required is a 

telephone.

• Participant has a frequent check-in.

• No person-to-person contact, and 

therefore no feedback on the 

health and well-being of the 

participant.

• If the automated calling system 

fails, a participant could be missed

since there is no human involved.

Wellness calls Connects isolated older adults with

friendly volunteers 1-2 times per week. 

Focused on providing a touchpoint and 

connecting participants to services or 

programs, volunteers ask questions 

focused on how the person is doing 

physically and emotionally rather than 

simply having a conversation. 

Example questions:

• How are you doing today?

• Do you have concerns around your 

personal safety?

• Do you have food in your house?

• Are you taking your medications?

• Volunteers are vetted (background 

checks) by the program.

• Easy and safe access to clients via 

telephone.

• Check-ins are based on how 

participants are personally doing.

• Volunteers can provide 

connections to community 

resources.

• No visual confirmation of physical 

health, general well-being, home 

surroundings, and mental health.

• Requires training and retention of 

qualified volunteers.

• Utilizes closed questions, which do 

not usually generate conversation, 

especially for those more guarded. 

This can make it difficult to get the 

full picture of how the participant is 

really doing.
Outreach type Overview Pros Cons

Comfort calls An effective intervention to combat social 

isolation and loneliness. These openended conversations focus on connecting 

and mutual interests instead of a basic 

check-in. Callers contact program 

participants 1-2 times per week and talk 

about whatever they choose. Volunteers 

can be matched with program 

participants based on interests.

• Callers and participants develop 

meaningful relationships.

• Volunteers have been vetted 

(background checks) by the 

program.

• Easy and safe access to clients via 

telephone.

• High touch, low-cost conversations.

• Open-ended questions deliver 

better insight into well-being.

• Pairing up people can be timeconsuming.

• Volunteers must be trained to 

engage in conversation and be 

good at active listening.

• Volunteer recruitment and 

retention may be difficult.

Virtual 

Programming

Virtual programs provide an opportunity 

for isolated older adults to stay in touch 

with their friends, loved ones, and/or 

local aging network through video 

platforms. These programs provide an 

opportunity for participants to engage 

from various locations and with games, 

activities, exercise, or support groups.

• Many tools are free or low cost.

• Volunteers have been vetted 

(background checks) by the 

program.

• Easy and safe access to clients via 

the internet. 

• Face-to-face contact increases the 

social connection between parties. 

• Flexibly works for small or large 

groups.

• Availability and use of internet, 

software, and hardware may be 

challenging for some.

• Privacy and security may be a 

concern for some. 

• Additional staff/volunteer support 

is often needed due to event 

planning, facilitation, and technical 

support to participants.

Outreach Examples and Additional Resources

• Maryland Senior Call Check Program — Automated call program from the Maryland Department of Aging

• Project Hello — Comfort call program from the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging

• The Daily Call Sheet — Comfort call program from the Motion Picture and Television Fund

• Project Vital: Virtual Inclusion Technology for All — Initiative from Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Alzheimer's Association

• Village Connector Experience — Virtual service from the Juanita C. Grant Foundation

• Enhancing Socialization Through Making Meaningful Volunteer Connections During COVID-19 — Resource Center tip sheet

• Tools for Reaching a Remote Audience — Tips from NCOA on delivering services virtually