The Human Neighborhood: Helping Our Seniors
March 29, 2020
It’s been a few weeks since our whole world turned upside down. For this control freak and extrovert, the command to stay at home has been challenging. But I know that staying put is the one thing I can control because it’s the one thing we can all do to contribute to the health and safety of our neighbors. While the future remains uncertain I am grateful to know that no matter who or where you are, you can do something by just doing nothing.
Luckily, this extrovert has a huge neighborhood of virtual relationships all over the world who are all experiencing this collective hard stop. Yet I do miss the actual connections I had with my neighbors in the suburbs where we used to live. A collective of people who are connected by so much more than their lawns, their children, and even the weekly garbage pick-up.
Our old neighborhood in Pittsford participated in the Chalk the Walk challenge, providing messages of positivity on their driveways. Stacey Spall Smith, vice president of Spall Homes, walked the neighborhood that she built and has lived in for 16 years on a cold Sunday morning and said the chalk art instantly raised her spirits.
When I see people coming together (six feet apart) wherever they are, I’m hopeful about how our humanity will grow from this experience. This is a defining moment for our time and will be for generations.
And while many of us are fortunate to be facing this test surrounded by so much plenty, I can’t help but think about the humans who have been here longer than most of us who are particularly vulnerable right now and who faced far greater tests with much less — our seniors.
My mom, 89, is normally the belle of the ball at her senior living facility. She’s been following the rules so far, but I’m worried about the toll of isolation on her emotional and physical well-being. Especially when she called me the other day and said (with no irony), “Well, Pamela, at least this thing isn’t going to kill you.”
She and my 98-year-old mother-in-law have been talking to each other on their cell phones. And we are all checking in on Facetime, often interrupting them at unexpected times, like when they are coming out of the shower. (Teaching them how not to pick up is important, too).
Making sure our elderly neighbors stay safe and get the services they need is a top priority for so many in our community. The Alzheimer’s Association continues to help caregivers and their charges get needed connection, services and information. Jewish Family Services has established a helpline for those in need.
Anne Marie Cook, president, and CEO of Lifespan — one of the largest locally-based organizations serving seniors in nine counties — is leading the charge but is helping seniors living at home. She herself has jumped into delivering groceries and needed prescriptions and just being present wherever needed.
That’s especially needed for older neighbors who aren’t surrounded by family. Rachel Clark of Pittsford says she thinks of her 93-year-old neighbor, Carol Gavett, as family. While Carol is connected to her far-away family virtually, Rachel and other friends are providing whatever she needs through a safe back hallway. As Rachel says, “We can’t cure anything. All we can do is be helpful.”
This crisis has shown us that we are all one, human neighborhood no matter where we may live. Our deepest gratitude to all our neighbors in health care, essential businesses, and those who serve the vulnerable and elderly in our community.
United Way: uwrochester.org
Lifespan: (585) 244-8400; lifespan-roch.org
Alzheimer’s Association: (8000 272-3900; alz.org
Jewish Family Services: (585) 461-0144; helpline@jfs.com; jfsrochester.org
Pittsford NY Chalk the Walk Challenge 2020
First Published in the Democrat and Chronicle and USA Today Network