ENGAGING WITH ELDERS
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic many elders in nursing homes and care facilities are feeling increasingly isolated. Given the need to protect older members of our population from potential infection, family members have had to reduce visits to older family members. The reduction in social interaction is having a negative impact on older people's mental health and well-being.
YOUTH CONNECTING WITH SENIORS
My Story
I have grandparents in England and I have seen firsthand how this "social distancing" has caused a drastic increase in their anxiety and sense of loneliness. Likewise, throughout America, millions of older adults are experiencing similar emotions to my grandparents. The reduction in social interaction is having a negative impact on older people's mental health and well-being.
I have found that communicating with my grandparents on a frequent basis, via video chat and telephone, has helped them feel connected to the outside world. My siblings and I have also sent them books to read and some board games to play. I believe that connecting & communicating with older adults, who may be feeling lonely and isolated, can help adults feel involved, purposeful and emotionally engaged.
Helping The Community
This initiative was started to to help combat the loneliness our elders are experiencing and to help let them know they are not alone . Over the next few months, I will be sharing photos, videos and updates on how your contributions are helping. Â Covid-19 is affecting our elders in so many ways. Many have not been able to see their loved ones in person for many weeks.
ABOUT
This campaign to "Engage with the Elderly" aims to raise money to buy some tablet devices, arts & crafts kits, knitting supplies, word search puzzles, DVD players, board games, etc. which we will donate to several local care facilities.
We have begun an outreach effort to ask students at local schools and their families to volunteer to communicate & connect with residents at the care/nursing homes. The volunteers will connect with older adults through multiple modes, including sharing video messages with, writing letters and sending messages, and providing recordings of musical performances. We are looking for talented volunteers willing to record some aspect of their talent (singing, poetry, dancing, etc.) that we can share with the elderly.
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GET INVOLVED
We are so happy you’re interested in getting involved with our work here at Engaging with Elders. There are so many ways for you to help, and we truly appreciate each and every effort. By lending your support, you’ll help give back to the broader community and brighten up someone's day.
VOLUNTEER TO CONNECT WITH SENIORS
Share a video message...or write them an "old fashioned" letter....
This is one of the simplest ways to help out our cause. We are looking for volunteers who are willing to spend some time talking via video chat (Facetime, WhatsApp, Zoom) with an older adult living in a care facility. We are also collecting letters to share with residents in care facilities. You can write about yourself, your family, your favorite food or even your pet...whatever you would like to tell others...but please keep it cheerful and optimistic !
MAKE A DONATION
Help Us Buy Arts, Crafts and Puzzles
We're collecting money to help gift the elderly some board games, puzzles, arts crafts...they really enjoy doing these activities. You can make a donation here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/helping-the-elders-in-community-combat-loneliness
SHARE YOUR TALENT
Our Seniors love to see and hear from you
If you have a video of you performing a song, reciting poetry, dancing or reading a book, we'd love to get that video or audio file, so we can share with residents at care homes.
OUR PROJECTS
Your generous contributions are helping compile over 200 activity kits that will be distributed across the various nursing homes & care facilities over the next couple of weeks. These activity packages include various arts and crafts, coloring books, activity books, word search books, board games, play-doh, wooden puzzles, electronic handheld games, ceramic mugs for painting, pillow sewing kits, model car & plane kits, lego blocks, portable radios, blocks, large print reading books etc. acrylic paints and brushes etc.
ARTS & CRAFTS
MODEL &Â CONSTRUCTION KITS
DVD PLAYERS & PORTABLE RADIOS
MESSAGES FROM THE COMMUNITY TO OUR SENIORS
“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors."
CONTACT ENGAGING WITH ELDERS
Get in touch with the Engaging with Elders team to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.