By Jeri Shikuma, Administrator, ACC Home and Community Based Programs
July marked the beginning of our Home and Community Based Programs’ Welcome Back Summer, and all indications are that summer was in full swing…. Laughter on the pickleball court, people groovin’ to aqua aerobics in the GT pool, expressions of consternation, then delight in iPhone and computer classes in our redesigned computer lab, plus a myriad of participants tuning in to a full slate of online classes like Zumba Gold with Linda Taylor and creative programming like The Mystery of Willmina Sloppye. In one way or another, people are getting fit, staying active, and having fun.
Unfortunately, though, the uptick in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant is making our reopening go a little slower than we hoped. This is frustrating for all of us, but especially for folks who are feeling the mental and physical impacts of nearly 18 months of COVID-related isolation.
The link between social participation (for example, church, sports, cultural, recreational, and volunteer activities) and good health is intuitive and well-documented. It’s no wonder that recent studies have shown that older adults experiencing social isolation during pandemics are likely to report increased levels of anxiety, depression, poor sleep quality and physical inactivity.
The staff at ACC understand the importance of social participation; that’s why from the very beginning of the pandemic, we have made it our business to support older adults living alone in the community by providing safe opportunities for being active and engaged, for learning, and having fun, all at no cost to participants. The Delta variant is causing us to be cautious and prudent in our reopening efforts, but we are still moving forward!
Our Rides trips taking seniors to their appointments, shopping, and field trips have increased by 200 rides since May. Participants in our Senior Employment Program are returning to in-person training at their host agencies and provided over 2,700 hours of community service in July. As part of a Senior Safety Collaborative, we launched a new Senior Escort Program in June to help seniors feel comfortable and more confident to be out and about exercising, doing errands, and going to appointments.
The Senior Escort Program, as well as our Friendly Visitor Caregiver Support program, needs more volunteers to keep serving seniors in need, and many of our classes and services are open for new participants, so if you want to get more active (and maybe do something that might improve your own physical and mental health too!), call us or visit our website at accsv.org for more information on how to get involved.
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