Put Smiles Back On The Faces Of Isolated Seniors
I had no idea how HORRIBLE it was going to be.
How awful life would become for seniors in care facilities during the pandemic lockdown. Especially for my father who couldn't have family or friends visit him anymore - or even leave his room.
He felt completely alone.
After a bit of research, I discovered people living in senior healthcare facilities all over the world are suffering tremendous emotional and mental stress during the pandemic lockdown.
They're unable to socialize with family & friends, enjoy their favorite communal activities, or even go outside.
This combination of long-term social isolation & loneliness has had devastating effects on a senior's physical and mental health.
Isolation Worse Than Nazi Germany
According to an article from Newsmax.com...
"Isolation for this group of people has been a particular challenge, even greater than the ones many faced escaping Nazi Germany or living through air raids during World War II, they said. Experts who work with older Americans who were ordered to stay in their rooms during lockdowns said the policy could have serious mental health consequences. And some doctors blame isolation, not COVID-19, for the recent death of their patients."
How Smiles Are Being Put Back On The Faces Of Isolated Senior Citizens
Yet despite all this doom & gloom - I discovered there is hope!
It all started when I would visit my father every day despite having to stand outside in the cold and wet to talk to him through a window.
That's when I would hear him talk excitedly about all the birds he could see at a bird feeder outside his window.
I wondered if my father was the only one to feel this way about birds and found out he wasn't.
According to a study done at the University of Exeter, birdwatching has been shown to help seniors in nursing homes isolated from family (due to Covid) reconnect with nature and their health.
After discovering this information I called several Senior Care facilities in Victoria and they told me they were VERY interested in having birdfeeders outside the windows of each of their residents.
That was all I needed to hear.
The “Luv-A-Senior" Fund
I was immediately inspired to help raise funds to buy as many bird feeders and seeds as possible for senior care facilities all around Victoria.
My goal is to raise $10,000 so I can help put the smiles stolen by the pandemic back on the faces of seniors in our care facilities.
I'll be sourcing all the hummingbird/wild bird feeders and food through local retailers to help support the local economy.
If there are any funds remaining they will be donated to a Seniors Mental Health Program such as the music therapy program at the Jubilee Hospital.
One day your parents might be the ones isolated and lonely in a nursing home. Or maybe it will be you.
Wouldn't it be nice if bird feeders (proven to help the mental and physical health of seniors) were already there for them or you?
