As we all know, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities have been hit extra hard by our current health crisis. As per the CDC, “Given their congregate nature and resident population served (e.g., older adults often with underlying chronic medical conditions), nursing home populations are at high risk of being affected by respiratory pathogens like COVID-19.” However, not only are they particularly vulnerable when it comes to their health, they’re also hit extra hard with isolation.
Many residents haven’t received in-person visits from family and friends since March, as most facilities limit community entry to essential visitors only (those necessary for resident care and community operations) and don’t allow in-house social visits, public events or outings.
In addition – and that is an ongoing situation and not specific to COVID-19 – some residents may not have family and friends close by or may not have visitors at all.
We therefore invite families in and around Austin to join us in bringing a smile to many sad faces, and this is how:
1. Have your kids draw pictures or write letters
Ask your children to draw pictures or write letters to the residents of nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities.
2. Have your kids sign their pictures and letters with their name and age
Have your children sign their pictures and letters with their first name and age. If you’d like to include your address, so that the recipients of your children’s drawings or letters can respond to your children, please feel free to do so. We will not share your address with anybody but the nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities.
3. The more, the merrier
Nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities have hundreds of residents, so we hope many of you will participate and submit one or multiple drawings or letters. We will mail the received drawings and letters to various nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities. If you’d like your child’s drawing or letter to be sent to only one recipient, please let us know.
4. Send pictures and letters to us
Send your child's pictures and letters to hello@livegrowplayaustin.com with “Smile” in the subject line or post them in the comments of our Facebook post pinned to the top of the page (pictures and letters that include your address must be sent to us via email).
5. We print and mail pictures and letters
We will print out all pictures and letters and mail them to nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and assisted living communities in the Austin area.
6. Thank you for participating and supporting the Austin senior community! And please share.
Get the Scoop
Like reading our blog? Get our blog posts delivered via email and follow us on Facebook!