While everyone is encouraged to stay at least six feet apart during the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, there is still something to be said for human contact and basic interaction.
The Macon County Senior Services department is hard at work trying to engage seniors in a variety of new activities, all while not creating congregate settings that break social distancing protocols. It’s a tall order in the best of circumstances, but given the area’s lack of internet access and some seniors lack of experience with technology, bringing people together has been a monumental task.
Senior services director Jennifer Hollifield made it very clear just what her department’s activities mean to their clients.
“Prior to COVID-19 our center was constantly bustling with activity and every day there were seniors, playing cards, watching movies, crocheting, etc. and for the last six months those activities have stopped,” Hollifield said. “For some of our seniors, that was their only interaction with the outside world on a day-to-day basis.”
Macon County Senior Services is continuing to deliver meals to homebound seniors during the pandemic, and the department plans to begin some drive-thru events in the fall – including drive-thru bingo and a drive-thru Halloween event. Hollifield and her staff know that online activities and Zoom classes are informative and necessary, but they will never replace face-to-face interactions.
Another group of citizens that have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic are the residents of the Eckerd Living Center in Highlands. For many, they haven’t had any close contact with their loved ones in more than six months. Recently the staff began allowing scheduled outdoor visits with family members, but even those visits must be socially distanced and thus free of handshakes and hugs.
While the outdoor visits are certainly not perfect, they are better than a phone call or a video chat.
In trying times, everyone can do their part to make sure that local seniors are not isolated or alone. Check on senior relatives, friends and neighbors. Have a conversation (on whatever platform is available) and let them know you care.