Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is about to launch a new service program of home visits with isolated older adults. Leading this exciting initiative is club Director and Gerontologist Susanne Pedersen; our Community Services Director Chris Davis, who envisioned the program; Nathan Lemmon who is working on a training video; and President Ann Witzig.

In response, Ipswich-Rowley Rotary is developing "Coffee with a Rotarian", a program to provide friendly, well-organized, social connections for older adults through casual home visits with coffee and conversation. Research shows that companionship can provide social connectedness, which is not only enjoyable, but also important for one’s overall health and wellbeing.
In conjunction with the Ipswich Council on Aging (COA), Rotary created a framework for the initiative and currently is working on a training program for volunteers. As this community-based plan focuses on increasing social connectedness for older adults, it aligns perfectly with the US Surgeon General’s goals.
