COVID-19 can affect anyone and everyone in the world but the elderly are more vulnerable to the coronavirus and are more likely to experience severe symptoms. Which is why health experts have advised people over 60 to remain indoors. At such a time, we should help them out in any way we can be it buying groceries, medicines or boosting their spirits.
According to Yahoo News, a UK-based old age home named CHD Living has launched an initiative whereby people without grandparents can adopt one of their residents and virtually keep them company during quarantine.
Each volunteer will be paired with a resident under the “adopt a grandparent” program and they would hang out digitally via video calls. The end goal is to combat loneliness, develop a virtual friendship and mental stimulation for both parties involved, reports Mirror UK.
Metro UK quoted Shaleeza Hasham, Head of Hospitality, Communications & Commissioning saying,
“The nature of care means that we’re looking after some of the most vulnerable members of society at the moment. It’s a worrying time and we’re taking the threat of coronavirus incredibly seriously, putting stringent processes and protocols in place to protect our residents as much as possible.”
She further added,
“We are however keen to keep spirits in the homes high and so have been thinking of ways that we can continue to enrich the lives of our residents whilst providing them with stimulation and companionship. It made sense at this time to digitize the Adopt a Grandparent campaign and to recruit further volunteers who might like to help keep our residents company over the coming weeks. It will be a wonderful distraction for everyone involved.”
If you’d like to be a part of this initiative, you can fill out their form here.