Since this around time last year, “normal” life has been all but that.  Our free-flowing life of visits to the grocery stores, movies, concerts, and senior communities to see our loved ones has been reconfigured so to speak due to the global Coronavirus pandemic.

Our senior citizens come from a generation of written communication and face-to-face contact, and due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, their life has changed the most, especially those seniors who are residents in assistant living communities and skilled nursing facilities.

These times have resulted in not being able to have visitors and in some cases, no outside contact with those other than staff members.

Studies have shown that the number of those in the senior age group with depression has increased significantly during the pandemic.

However, there are several ways to reach out a hand to those in senior communities and facilities that might help brighten the moods of the residents.

How can you help?

• Some facilities are allowing video calling (like FaceTime or Zoom meetings), other are allowing window visits.  If you have loved ones and can’t go see them, arrange those video calls, go to those window visits or make regular phone calls.

• If you don’t have a loved one in this situation, but want to help out, contact your local facilities and see who may have not had any visitors, and see if you can drop of an item they need.  Letting them know someone cares and understands can help with the depression and anxiety.

• If you are a member of a civic organization or community service group, “adopt” a senior community or facility and make holiday cards for them, organize a pen pal program, or create gift bags.  Also include the staff members, as they are under extreme extra pressure taking care of our seniors as well.

• Another idea would be to speak with activity directors at the communities/facilities about sponsoring movie nights with pizza for the residents. This is an event that residents can enjoy in groups and keep social distances.

• Donate gift cards to the facilities so staff can purchase clothing, socks, shoes, for those who have no family able to visit and give as gifts, maybe from “a secret admirer”. Other items that can be donated to facilities are decks of cards, crossword puzzle books, or magazines, to help in keeping the residents mentally engaged. 

Most of those in senior communities come from a generation of written conversation and face-to-face camaraderie.  And it just came to a screeching halt for them.

It is all about connection that the depressed residents are missing.  

Let’s help brighten their days with new types of visits, special gifts, or notes to just say “we haven’t forgotten about you”.

Written by: Marie Bakken