As the coronavirus pandemic continues to restrict people’s movement, a local initiative is aimed at making sure Airdrie’s seniors aren’t forgotten.
“These people built our communities, and they should be appreciated and loved and not be left alone and scared and lonely,” said Nicole Kelly, who is organizing Adopt A Grandparent.
According to Kelly, Adopt A Grandparent is intended to combat isolation local seniors may be feeling by sending them care packages and encouraging notes. She said it is meant to show them that, even though visitations are restricted and they can’t leave their homes or care facilities, the community is still thinking of them and available to help.
Originally, the initiative began as a way for Kelly and her children to pass the time while they were stuck at home due to COVID-19.
“I wanted to feel like I had some kind of purpose while all this is going on, because I guess a lot of us have lost that,” she said. “It’s really nice to feel like you’re giving back.”
The family began making care packages for the staff at Luxstone Manor, which included candles and bath bombs and other “cheerful things.”
“Then we started dropping off arts and crafts and messages of encouragement,” Kelly said.
Now, she’s hoping other families will join her in cheering up local seniors. The care packages can include “anything that can be individually sanitized,” Kelly said – cards, crafts, drawings and trinkets that can “make people happy.” She noted they are trying to cut back slightly on paper products to reduce any risk of spreading the virus, and are now asking for laminated items or firmer cardstock that can be wiped down with disinfectant. Food is not accepted.
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Because items are being delivered to a vulnerable population, Kelly said safety precautions are a high priority. At Luxstone Manor, Kelly drops off the care packages in a bin between the entrance and main door of the building, and never actually enters the facility. She’s careful to sanitize her hands before and after each drop-off.
Stringent precautions are encouraged for anyone participating in Adopt A Grandparent. If you want to send something to cheer a senior, Kelly said, you should make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and disinfect any items you plan to send. Any envelopes should be sealed with tape, glue or stickers, and not licked.
Kelly said the items are again sanitized once they are delivered, before being distributed to the seniors. Therefore, cards and paper products should be placed inside a plastic ziplock bag that can be wiped down and set aside for the length of time it takes the virus to die off. You should not participate if you are ill.
So far, Adopt A Grandparent has been primarily geared towards those living at Luxstone Manor, but Kelly said they will also attend to anyone who reaches out through the Facebook page Airdrie COVID-19 Volunteers. Recently, Bethany Care Centre has also requested uplifting emails for its residents, she said, which can be sent to [email protected]
Additionally, anyone who wants to get involved can contact Kelly at [email protected]
Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
