You’re welcome here
Kings County Christmas events aim to lessen isolation over the holidays
There’s a place for lonely seniors to go this Christmas.
Marcy MacPherson is opening her home up as an option for seniors with no place to go on Christmas Day.
MacPherson recently transformed her 4,000-square-foot house into Valley View Independent Senior Boarding.
She had the space and she saw the need while working throughout the Annapolis Valley in the health-care sector.
“I’ve seen that there is a shortage of beds available in Nova Scotia that would accommodate seniors that are in between being at home safely and going to long-term care,” she said.
She co-owns the Aylesford area business, opened in July 2019, with her husband.
Their home, lining the rural Highway 221, is an option for eight independent seniors who would benefit from some supervision.
“There seems to be some seniors that are not safe in their homes on their own and, yet, they’re not ready for long-term care, so they’re sitting in hospital waiting for long-term care or going back home, potentially not safely, and then coming back to hospital.”
They do not provide personal care, but residents can arrange for care workers from outside organizations to come in and provide those services.
“There are a lot of seniors that are living in isolation. We, as communities, know who these seniors are, but we don’t always know what to do for them.”
The Christmas event, running from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 25, will offer food, fellowship and festivities. There will be oldfashioned games, carols, dinner and camaraderie.
MacPherson said free-will offerings will be accepted, but they are not charging admission.
“Christmas is a time of sharing and spending time together with other people, and we don’t want to see anyone alone this season,” she said, adding the festive event is about creating opportunities for more seniors to experience the benefits of acceptance, compassion and camaraderie over the holidays.
“I believe that it brings people the knowledge that human beings are, truly, at the core, loving people and caring people.”
To help with event preparation, MacPherson is hoping folks planning to attend will
RSVP by phoning 902-321-9668 or emailing kevin@valleyviewseniorboarding.com.
She’s been thrilled to see online posters she created to raise awareness of the event being widely shared on social media.
“My heart is full knowing that we are putting the offer out there and that we are seeing the community really start to share our idea,” MacPherson said.
DANGERS OF ISOLATION
Kings County Seniors’ Safety co-ordinator Michelle Parker applauds the MacPhersons for thinking of a way to connect isolated seniors with a sense of community for the holiday season.
“I think being able to attend Christmas dinner in a boarding home for seniors will help isolated seniors feel connected, cared for and valued,” she said via email.
“Being in a full house with other people, sharing not only a meal but past holiday stories and memories, can be invaluable and may be a start of a new tradition for those who would otherwise be alone this Christmas.”
Too often, Parker sees the harsh realities of living in isolation first-hand.
“Sadly, in my role I meet seniors facing social isolation on a regular basis. For some people, isolation can be as debilitating as other health conditions. I recently heard that studies have proven that being socially isolated has the same health impacts as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” wrote Parker.
“Seniors who are living alone, whether a spouse had passed away or living in nursing home, are particularly vulnerable.”
Some seniors living without a close connection to family or friends can start turning to emergency services when there is no “true emergency,” she noted.
“There are many good programs and services that exist in our region to help reduce isolation, however, many seniors simply want someone to visit or spend time with, to make those human connections, where they feel heard and know that someone cares.”
A program is in the works that will match seniors living in isolation with volunteers available for a “phone-a-friend type relationship,” Parker said.
It will launch in 2020 if all goes as planned.