Older veterans can call 866-OLD-VETS to be paired with a younger veteran or military family member for virtual in-home support
While fielding more than 300 phone calls in 48 hours after the organization’s services were featured in a far-reaching veteran’s blog, the nonprofit Hero’s Bridge quickly created a national call center to meet the needs of America’s aging veterans. Founded in the image of its Battle Buddy program, which pairs elderly veterans with a younger veteran or military family member for virtual in-home services, the Battle Buddy Call Center has served 400 veterans since it opened on June 1, 2023.
“No matter where they’re living, our senior heroes deserve to live in dignity,” said Hero’s Bridge Founder and CEO Molly Brooks. “The mission of the Battle Buddy Call Center is to ensure that not one of our older veterans is forced to live in social isolation, in substandard housing, or experience food insecurity.”
The Battle Buddy Call Center uses a blend of virtual contacts and technologies to allow older veterans to receive assistance tailored to their unique needs.
Veterans in need are encouraged to call the Hero’s Bridge Battle Buddy Call Center hotline at 866-OLD-VETS (866-653-8387). After a quality-of-life assessment, the program pairs the older veteran with a younger “Battle Buddy” veteran or military family member who provides virtual in-home services. Referrals are also made to the other Hero’s Bridge programs, state and federal Veterans Affairs benefit and support programs, and community partners to meet needs and “bridge” the elderly veteran to a healthier, more supported existence.
In its inaugural year, Battle Buddies have fielded calls from veterans in 32 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Vietnam-era veteran David Moore, due to poor health and the summer heat, was unable to maintain his yard and cut enough wood to warm his home for the winter. As he reached out to Hero’s Bridge for help, Virtual Battle Buddy Call Center Coordinator Rachel Brown began making calls to locals. In no time, volunteers were on the scene, preparing David for winter.
Hero’s Bridge is the only non-profit organization focusing exclusively on providing rapid and direct assistance to aging veterans.
To register as a Battle Buddy volunteer, visit herosbridge.org/volunteer. Training is provided, and a background check is required.