This nursing home has started a pen pal program to comfort isolated seniors
A New Hampshire nursing home has reached out to the community to help prevent socially isolating its seniors
The Sullivan County Health Care Center in Unity started writing to residents at Summercrest Senior Living Community in Newport, creating a bridge in the form of letters. Now, the center is expanding to anyone willing to correspond.
So far, the center has received letters from New Hampshire residents, as well as residents from Massachusetts and Vermont.
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The letter writing began when senior living facilities began restricting visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic. The letter writing is, in part, a preemptive measure to reduce social isolation, an issue those who work in the mental health field are concerned about.
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Olsen-Hayward assists those over 60. She is concerned older adults will stop taking care of themselves because others are not checking in. She applauded the pen pal program and encourages all of us to do our part.
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The pen pal program is scheduled to continue after the pandemic is over. You can write anonymously if you wish, or you can include information on how to write back.
Letters can be sent to the activities department at Sullivan County Health Care in Unity at:
Sullivan County Health Care
Activity Department
5 Nursing Home Drive
Unity, NH 03743