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Seniors Struggle With Isolation In The Pandemic. Here's How Some Organizations Are Trying To Help.

Edie Rubinowitz

September 07, 2020 |

WBEZ |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Illinois

The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated how seniors are able to come together for companionship, but groups in Illinois are trying to utilize technology to address the problem. While the digital divide is a significant limitation to this approach, some seniors say "they are having new experiences, meeting new people and that their world has actually expanded since COVID-19."

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How to Meet New People, Even at a Distance

Julia Hotz

August 29, 2020 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

Coronavirus-related loneliness increased demand for groups that help people make personal connections and new friends, even if at a distance. A New York MeetUp, “I wanted to do that … just not alone”, has seen attendance at socially distanced activities increase. “Living Room Conversations,” an online platform where volunteers host discussions on timely topics, saw 1,000 new members since March and a 62% increase in page views. The groups encourage vulnerability and connection, but are not meant to replace professional mental-health counseling for those who are struggling with loneliness and other traumas.

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Could bartering become the new buying in a changed world?

Jessica Jones

August 26, 2020 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: England, London

Bartering has surged in popularity as neighbors and community members seek hard-to-find items during the pandemic. Groups with thousands of members have emerged, and people are trading household items as well as their time in the form of piano lessons, help around the house, language coaching and more. Businesses have also benefited from bartering and have increased their yearly business by 10 to 15 percent by swapping services with other entrepreneurs.

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There's No Cure for Covid-19 Loneliness, but Robots Can Help

Kate Knibbs

June 22, 2020 |

Wired |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Japan

Robot pet therapy, which uses a social robot designed to look like a small animal, weigh the same as an infant, and communicate in a socially comforting way, is helping isolated seniors find a sense of companionship during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although some have raised ethical concerns about "the role of robots in caretaking," others point to evidence indicating success such as "reduced reliance on psychotropic drugs, improved blood pressure and oxygenation levels, and stirred the emotions of patients who otherwise often appeared disconnected."

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In the quiet of a shutdown, students and seniors forge new friendships

Tara Bahrampour

June 19, 2020 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

When the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in widespread lockdowns, a Washington, D.C. Episcopal day school partnered with a retirement home to help students and seniors provide companionship to one another and decrease loneliness. To help alleviate nerves about talking with someone they've never met, the program trained the students in skills such as cold-calling and offered an introductory script for the initial conversation. The students have reported valuing the conversations while the seniors have said "the connection has been a lifeline."

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As coronavirus restrictions loosen, congregations grapple with including older adults

Yonat Shimron

June 11, 2020 |

Religion News Service |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

When the coronavirus pandemic shut down large gatherings, some churches in the U.S. began offering outdoor services to safely serve their congregations – such as in one retirement community in Florida where members attended services via golf carts. As the weather turns cooler though, churches are finding creative ways to further engage older members such as encouraging them to join Zoom calls for song and worship.

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Nursing homes try to achieve a balance for residents

Roberta Baker

May 12, 2020 |

The Laconia Daily Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Tilton, New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, nursing homes and veteran's homes are turning to online video conferencing and outdoor socially-distanced activities to manage the patients' feelings of isolation during the coronavirus pandemic. Although it does not replace in-person contact, residents have expressed that it has helped and the facilities say that they plan to keep some of the technologies in place post-pandemic so out-of-state family can "visit" more often.

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Amidst coronavirus fears, Nigeria's pregnant women turn to remote consultation and online groups

Torinmo Salau

May 10, 2020 |

Minority Africa |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Nigeria, Lagos

Pregnant women in Nigeria are turning to virtual support groups to help manage anxiety and fear they feel about delivering a baby during the coronavirus pandemic. Although the telehealth transition for doctor visits has provided more limitations than success, the use of WhatsApp and Telegram for support groups has been received well as a means of creating connections.

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Online meetings beat social isolation

Roberta Baker

April 23, 2020 |

The Laconia Daily Sun |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Lakes Region, New Hampshire

The Boys and Girls Club of the Lakes Region in New Hampshire have quickly pivoted to offering online classes and outreach to help their students and their family to maintain some semblance of social connection, routine, and normalcy. While technology has helped address the social isolation that has come from the coronavirus pandemic, it is still not a replacement for in-person connection. However, psychologists say that it still can act as the "next-best alternative to being in visual and physical contact."

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Pittsburgh nonprofit providing resources, help for African American community amid COVID-19

Ryan Houston

April 15, 2020 |

WPXI-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In cities across the United States, the coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately impacting communities of color in part due to a lack of information being provided to these areas. A non-profit in Pittsburg is working to close that gap by hosting a weekly virtual townhall that connects the black community with doctors, state lawmakers and health care workers.

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