With many homes shutting their doors to visitors to help protect frail and vulnerable residents from COVID-19, providers and their staff are coming up with a fantastic range of innovative programs to keep the people they support connected to their families, friend and their local community.
Bupa is asking parents to help their kids write a letter or draw a picture for residents in one of their 72 homes around Australia (the virus can only survive on dry surfaces for a few hours so this is safe according to the World Health Organisation).
You can see a wonderful video about the ‘Visits by Mail’ program here.
At their Maroubra home, students from their Seniors and Teens Empathy Program, a program run by Social Enterprises Heart and Soul Story, have already been sending in pictures and letters which have been welcomed by the residents.
Other providers are also doing the same, including Anglican Care through its ‘Connecting Generations’ Program and WA aged care provider Bethanie through its primary school program.
Benetas has also launched an online ‘Virtual Hug’ tool allowing families to send written messages and photos to loved ones.
Not to forget staff, BaptistCare is also asking people to ‘Support the Staff’ by sending messages of encouragement to its staff.
Wonderful to see so many people doing their part to ensure our older Australians are not alone in this crisis.
Picture Credit: WA age care provider Bethanie
