During this time many people are starting to feel isolated. Older citizens in particular are experiencing loneliness, as relatives and friends are no longer able to visit residential aged care homes in response to the coronavirus.
As a way to stay socially connected, Anglican Care are urging family and children to write letters, submit artwork, cards or pictures to aged-care citizens.
While the time frame of isolation for the elderly is still unknown, for those who can, a simple kind gesture to help brighten the day for residents can go a long way.
Anglican Care Marketing Manager, Kylie Jacques, said that the current restrictions could mean many elderly people go without seeing loved ones for long periods of time.
“People still need to make meaningful connections with one another but fulfilling that need may look a little different for a while. National restrictions on visitors to Anglican Care means our residents won’t be able to see anyone under 16 and for many of them this loss will be upsetting,” Kylie said.
This crisis presents a great opportunity to teach younger Australian’s the importance of giving back to others, understanding how much we can learn from our elderly and how the littlest of things can make someone’s day.
Due to infection control issues, Anglican Care are encouraging these items be uploaded to the Anglican Care website, where they will be downloaded and printed for residents.
Anglican Care’s website has been re-designed in recent days to enable social connection to remain.
“This is just a small way to get children involved in helping people feel better in their community,” Kylie said.
“And who knows, it may also help some of the parents out there undertaking home-schooling duties.”
Dee, 12, and Olive, 8, have been home-schooled for the past week but found they were missing their friends.
“We thought that the Anglican care residents might be feeling the same way. So, we talked with Mum and decided to write letters to stay connected and we are super excited to hear their reply and to make some new friends,” Dee and Olive said.
Dee and Olive’s mum, Laurie, has been familiar with Anglican Care for many years, working as the official photographer for the organisation.
“I have spent so much time with the Anglican Care family, and I know it would be an extremely difficult time especially for the more social residents,” Laurie said.
“When the girls asked if they could send letters to help them feel more connected, I jumped at it.”
Arcadia Vale Primary School has already jumped on board the project, with eleven students sending beautiful letters via their teacher to several aged care homes including Jesmond Grove, Scenic Lodge, Toronto Nursing Home, Carey Bay Gardens, Kilpatrick Court, Greenmount Gardens and MacIntosh Nursing Home.
It is vitally important physical distancing is maintained at aged-care residential homes, but social contact remains an essential part of the mental health of residents.
“Our Connecting Generations program is a core element of life at Anglican Care and it is more important than ever we continue it,” Kylie concluded.
To get involved people are encouraged to visit the Anglican Care website where they can fill out their details and then upload items to the site for residents.
IMAGE | Dee and Ollie on Anglican Care website
