No one likes to be lonely; but when you are an isolated senior, it's easier to have that loneliness turn to despair. CBS 11 News looks at a program that can help.

It's called the Senior Companion Program.
It's a volunteer program that partners up able-bodied seniors with those who aren't able to get out on their own. The interaction can benefit both, by breaking the cycle of loneliness and helping people live fuller lives.

When Lucille Gilmore makes her regular visit to the Mary Conrad Center the faces of the residents light up.

"When Lucille comes in the door she knows exactly who she is going to visit. And they want to know when she doesn't show up, 'Where's Lucille at? I didn't see my visitor this week?'" said Lori

Littleton of the Mary Conrad Center.

For the past 18 years Lucille Gilmore has been a reliable volunteer with the Senior Companion Program, visiting shut-ins at home or residents in local nursing homes. She says she started after her husband died 25 years ago.

"For the first few years, I kept fairly busy. But I didn't have a purpose, you know. And one day I was visiting my daughter's mother-in-law and she had a senior companion. And I thought, 'I'd like to do that.' And so I inquired into it and I've been here ever since," said Gilmore.

As a senior companion volunteer Gilmore does all kinds of things to make residents feel special, such as delivering a manicure or a hand massage, or sharing the news in the morning paper.

At 88-years-old Gilmore is the same age or older than many of the residents she visits. She says that means they have a lot in common to talk about.

"They seem to enjoy talking about our childhood. We went through the depression. We've done all those things together, so we have a really good time. I have really good friends here," said Gilmore.

And that, say the people who run the program, is important as well, because volunteers say they get back just as much as they give; and that breaks

the cycle of loneliness both ways.

"Most of them enjoy getting out and being part of the community and just giving back. They've worked most of their lives and they don't find that retirement is the thing that they quite want to do yet. So I think it's rewarding. And the people who are their clients, they get to be companions sometimes lifelong," said Senior Companion Director Rosemary Williams.

You need to be at least 60-years-old to be a senior companion. There is also an opportunity to get a small stipend to be reimbursed for gas and even lunches.

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To contact Lauren, call 907-273-3186.