Many seniors will experience loneliness and depression as they age, either as a result of living alone or because of few or no close family ties. Making matters worse, reduced contact with their culture of origin can result in an inability to actively participate in the community.
As seniors age, it is inevitable that they lose connection with circles of friends and that they will find it more difficult to create new friendships.
The time around holidays can be especially tough for lonely and depressed loved ones. One senior care organization is trying to make a difference in elderly loneliness this holiday season…
WHITE CITY, Ore. — Some local seniors will be receive a surprise from Santa this year with the help of Home Instead Senior Care.
With 28 percent of seniors living alone, the holidays can be a difficult time for some. Home Instead Senior Care. is working to change that with their “Be a Santa to a Senior” program.
“The intent is to give back to any senior that’s going to be alone on Christmas doesn’t matter where you are, we want to make sure you’re visited,” Client care director Patricia McConnell said.
Local businesses including Fred Meyer and Cascade Pharmacy have Christmas trees on display to help customers purchase a gift for a senior citizen in need. The trees are decorated with ornaments featuring the seniors’ names and their desired gifts.
McConnell said the best part of the program is getting to visit their homes and deliver the presents personally.
“Going and knocking on a door to somebody who doesn’t expect we’re coming…it’s tears, its hugs,” McConnell said.
Some seniors are nominated by their friends and family and do not know they are part of the program, which makes the delivery a surprise and even more special.
In the programs fifth year, they are sponsoring 835 local seniors with over a thousand gifts.
The trees are on display until Monday. If you are interested in getting involved, you can sign up to volunteer to help deliver gifts in the next few weeks.
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