While many of us are inconvenienced by the lockdowns mandated by states to stop the spread of coronavirus, the illness has really impacted the elderly. Because they are highly susceptible to COVID-19, senior citizens have had to make sure they stay very isolated, especially if they live in nursing homes. Coronavirus has swept through nursing homes with devastating results, so many are now not allowing visitors to prevent that from happening again. Some don’t even allow residents to meet up with each other. This means that the folks living at the homes can get very lonely, but one nursing home has found a way to combat it – they’ve started an “Adopt A Grandparent” program.
CHD Living, which owns 13 nursing homes around London, are inviting English-speaking people from around the world to apply online and become a virtual volunteer who will engage with their assigned “grandparents” through video calls. The company hopes to keep their residents mentally stimulated during this hard time. A representative for the company explained:
“The nature of care means that we’re looking after some of the most vulnerable members of society at the moment. We are however keen to keep spirits in the homes high and so have been thinking of ways that we can continue to enrich the lives of our residents whilst providing them with stimulation and companionship. It made sense at this time to digitize the Adopt a Grandparent campaign and to recruit further volunteers who might like to help keep our residents company over the coming weeks.”
The homes also welcome drawings, letters, and poetry, and suggest that children send some as well while they are homeschooling.
If you are interested in applying to adopt a grandparent, you can at this link.
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