Mission
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a cure for social isolation by empowering older adults to share life stories and inspiring human connection across generational and social divides.
About Social Isolation
An estimated 11 million, or 28%, of older Americans are at risk for social isolation. Isolation is the cause of many physical and mental health issues such as depression, diabetes and lung disease. Isolation can also impair the immune system and increase cognitive decline. Additionally, isolated older adults face a 26% higher chance of early death.
After 2020, when the world faced massive health, economic and social crises, isolation suddenly transformed into a household word and a shared experience across generations. This further underscored the importance of enabling people to connect with one another.
Our Solution
Our solution for isolation is twofold: to empower older adults to share life stories, and through the sharing of those stories, inspire genuine human connection across generational and social divides. Field-tested nationwide and backed by international research, our storytelling programs deliver these 6 key benefits:
Social Engagement
Technological Engagement
Intergenerational Engagement
Cognitive Activity
Reminiscence Activity
Emotional Expression
Our name, The Best Day of My Life So Far, is grounded in the belief that you can turn any day into the best day of your life, just by sharing a story (whether it’s about good or bad times, ordinary or spectacular days) with someone who really cares to listen. Driven by a love of life and a love of people, we are a welcoming and supportive community where people of all ages and social, economic and cultural backgrounds can experience genuine human connection.
What We Do
We empower older adults to open up about their deeper thoughts and feelings by telling stories from their lives, while providing a range of training options so that everyone (from family members, youth, young adults, college students, to care professionals) can become skilled and compassionate listeners. We began providing a fluid mix of face-to-face and digital programming in 2009. In 2020, in response to the global pandemic – and the fact that social isolation became a mainstream problem affecting everyone – we expanded our programs to include more virtual options, created new programs to address our changing context, and scaled our program partnerships in both healthcare and mainstream settings, in order to take our work into the future. Learn more about our programs and see the support from community members, industry leaders and the press.