LYNNFIELD — A Healthy Lynnfield (AHL) is doing what it can to help senior citizens who are unable to spend time with their loved ones during these difficult times.
It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit elderly people harder than any other age group.
And while the number of deaths is the best evidence of that statement, the elderly have also been hit hard in other, less obvious ways.
Many have suffered added feelings of depression and anxiety caused by quarantine-induced separation from friends and family. Even worse, however, are those living in senior housing, assisted living or nursing facilities, which, until recently had closed their doors to visitors, leaving residents in those facilities going weeks on their own without being able to see their families.
With so many mental health challenges facing seniors today, AHL is committed to give seniors a healthy dose of much-needed socialization that has been lost in the midst of the months-long lockdown.
“Our coalition work is to bridge the programs at the school with youth and the community so this presented itself as a nice way to get our A Healthy Lynnfield middle school youth group engaged in a positive way to impact the seniors affected by COVID,” said Substance Use Prevention Coordinator Peg Sallade. “The toll that isolation takes on seniors is a real problem in terms of mental health and we felt we needed to reach out to them.”
The cross-generational initiative was designed to connect middle school students with seniors and spread a little sunshine and words of encouragement.
Sallade said approximately 15 students participated in the program with the leaders being eighth-graders Meaghan Woods, Ally Sykes, Keely Briggs and seventh-grader Emma Rose.
“They took the lead and then opened it up to others across the grades so kids from every grade ended up participating,” said Sallade.
Middle school teachers Sheri Weeks and Matt Angelo, who serve as AHL club advisors helped execute the plan, while AHL Outreach Coordinator Kelsey Coughlin served as point person, to help bring all the partners together.
Students fashioned hand-made creations of something colorful, such as poems, drawings and short videos with the theme being, “anything goes,” meaning anything they could think of to brighten a senior’s day. Students were encouraged to share information about themselves, such as their favorite things to do or favorite sport, hobby or activity. They also shared their thoughts on what they are doing to stay healthy.
Students emailed photos and scans of their artwork to AHL, which, in turn, sent the photo along to the Council on Aging and the Lynnfield Housing Authority for delivery last month.
Council on Aging Director Linda Naccara gave credit to Sallade for coming up with the idea and getting the students on board, adding that she sent electronic packets to approximately 1,500 recipients.
“Peg got the kids going,” said Naccara. “Some of the kids ended up making a few short videos saying hello to the seniors and reminding them that this isn’t going to last forever and to stay safe and that they were thinking of them.
“Several people sent us short, little notes saying how much they enjoyed it and how much they appreciated it. They were grateful the kids were thinking of them and took the time to do this.”
Lynnfield Housing Authority Executive Director Daniel Macintyre said he did things a little differently for the 70 or so seniors who live at Ross Drive.
“I printed the packets and we were able to distribute them live, one at a time, in our community room when people picked up their weekly meal from The Good Hope Pantry at Calvary Christian Church, so it really worked out perfectly,” he said. “It was very well received by our community with about three-quarters of our residents picking up packets. Most people who live here are former Lynnfielders, so it was great to see local people interacting with local youth. It was a great opportunity for everyone and we are flattered that Kelsey reached out to us.”
“If we put a smile on a few people’s faces, then it’s a success,” said Sallade. “That and having students know they have helped someone adds up to a good feeling all around.”
