FRIENDLY VISITING - CONSIDERATIONS AND RESOURCES

It has been said that "as blood is to life, communication is to living." A familiar, long-standing communication avenue for older persons is the friendly visit. What do we know about friendship in old age? What is the history of friendly visiting? Who are those who offer friendly visits that are satisfying to the participants? How can one learn to be an effective friendly visitor? Included here are reviews of selected research and how-to publications of substance pertinent to informal interactions with people who are in their later years. It is hoped that reader awareness will be heightened relative to the depth, complexity, and value of friendly visits and to training considerations that have potential to enhance that effort.