Unwanted loneliness is growing. Our response too

The unwanted loneliness of the elderly is an urgent reality that cannot be ignored. These are not isolated cases: it is the reflection of an increasingly atomized society, where community bonds are weakening. At Avismón we raise a necessary question: how do we face this reality so that the elderly are not the great forgotten ones of our society?

This 2026 we celebrate 30 years working to combat unwanted loneliness and build a society in which aging does not mean being left alone. We do this through companionship, community, education, awareness, and the promotion of active aging.

We accompany elderly people in their homes, carry out telephone follow-ups, medical escorts, and provide support in daily management and activities. But accompanying is much more than just being there: it is listening, sharing, respecting each person's decisions, and strengthening their ties with their environment.

With three decades of experience, Avismón has a network of nearly 500 volunteers who, together with the professional team, make this work possible. You do not need to have a lot of time to collaborate: dedicating two or three hours a week can mean a lot to a person who lives alone. A conversation, a walk, a visit, or a call can break the isolation and generate a bond that is maintained over time.

We also work to build community and combat prejudices associated with age. We promote activities and celebrations such as Saint George's Day, Christmas, or the Chestnut Festival, we encourage the participation of the elderly, and we develop awareness and training actions regarding ageism.

To continue making this work possible, we need everyone's involvement. You can become a volunteer, join us, make a one-time or periodic donation, or contribute by giving visibility to our work. Each contribution helps us to maintain and expand our accompaniment and community projects.

We use the International Day of Older Persons as a call to action. Faced with a growing reality, only with the joint involvement of institutions, organizations, and civil society will we be able to strengthen bonds, dignify aging, and avoid isolation.

Unwanted loneliness is growing. Our response is too. And after 30 years, we continue to believe that every gesture counts. Because combating loneliness is a shared responsibility and because no elderly person should be left behind.