LinkedHearts
LinkedHearts
Connecting Generations, One Link at a Time
My journey with LinkedHearts began in a place familiar to many: a hospital room. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals. I was always grateful – whether I was the one in the bed, or if we were there visiting a loved one (like my grandfather), our family always stuck together. We were never alone.
But slowly, I realized that the people around us were.
I'll never forget the kind elderly lady in the bed next to my grandfather. While our family filled his room with laughter and conversation, she sat by herself, day after day. She would tell us how her children had moved away, how her days were long and quiet, and how our brief chats with her were the only social interaction she had. Her loneliness was a quiet, heartbreaking contrast to the joy in our corner of the room.
This wasn't just a hospital story. Later, when my uncle moved into a retirement home, we saw the same pattern. We'd visit, and the other residents would light up, eager to share a story. Time and again, we heard the same refrain: "I never get visitors."
I realized this isolation was a silent epidemic. In retirement homes and hospitals across our community, despite beautiful facilities, countless seniors are facing profound loneliness.
That's when the vision for LinkedHearts became clear. We are building a bridge between generations to ensure that no elder has to feel alone again, and that every young person has the simple, profound opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. We're not just providing a service; we're fostering genuine friendships that bring light and connection to all involved.
To create a world where no elder feels lonely, and every young person has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone's life. We aim to accomplish this by connecting the seniors in our community with compassionate, vetted companions ("Pals") for meaningful, face-to-face companionship and support.
We go beyond simple visits. We foster real friendships based on shared interests, stories, and mutual respect.
We prioritize the safety of our elders and Pals through a careful matching process and a commitment to creating a secure environment. All of our Pals are verified university students, and they are interviewed to ensure they meet everything we are looking for.
seniors live in Toronto
of seniors aged 65-74 report feeling lonely
for those 85+
hospital patients receive no visitors
The need is real. Our model works.
"LinkedHearts is driven by a passion for community care. As the founder and the heart of operations. I'm a 21 year old university student, and I believe in giving opportunities to other youth in ways that strengthen our community. If we want to see a change in the loneliness afflicting our loved ones, the best way is to start with those around us! My role involves everything from matching our first pairs to ensuring every visit brings a smile to each party involved.
LinkedHearts is powered by a growing team of incredible Pals – compassionate university students from the Toronto area who share our vision. They are the ones on the front lines, sharing their time and energy to brighten the days of our elders. We're a small but mighty team, and we're just getting started."
- Zachariah Rahman, Founder
Before your meeting with your Pal, write down or think about a few things you enjoy (use the list below as a guide). We want these visits to be as fun as possible for everyone involved. These aren't transactions, they're relationships! Think about things that you like so that you and your Pal have something to work with. That way, your Pal knows what you enjoy and can make the experience even more memorable for you, ensuring both parties feel comfortable and prepared!
Some ideas to get the ball rolling are listed below:
Join our mission to combat senior loneliness and create meaningful intergenerational connections.