Right now, we are living in an historical moment that has affected nearly every life on the planet in some form. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected the health and well-being of its victims, but also has affected social interactions, learning, and placed economic hardship on countless households and individuals. Although my family is managing to stay afloat, I cannot help but wonder how the lives of different populations have been affected as well.
The most difficult part of virtual classes is the fact that I will be unable to work in this field with my classmates. We had planned some exciting events, but unfortunately nearly all of these were cancelled. I have learned that this pandemic is also a test to see how people can alter their way of social interaction with the new constraints of distancing. With these new constraints in effect, I cannot help but wonder how our elder partners are placed in a grave state of susceptibility of disease as well as loneliness during these excruciating times.
To minimize the effect of loneliness and social isolation for our elder partners during this pandemic, our healthy aging project (HAP) has shifted to a “Phone Pal” platform, in which students are partnered with an elder partner to interact with 2 times a week. We feel by doing so, students and our partners will be able to have someone to support each other during these trying moments. Right now, we have partnered with Talmadge and Serving Seniors and are figuring out the logistics of this project. I am looking forward to seeing this project through and hope that this can impact the lives of our participants.
The most difficult part of virtual classes is the fact that I will be unable to work in this field with my classmates. We had planned some exciting events, but unfortunately nearly all of these were cancelled. I have learned that this pandemic is also a test to see how people can alter their way of social interaction with the new constraints of distancing. With these new constraints in effect, I cannot help but wonder how our elder partners are placed in a grave state of susceptibility of disease as well as loneliness during these excruciating times.
To minimize the effect of loneliness and social isolation for our elder partners during this pandemic, our healthy aging project (HAP) has shifted to a “Phone Pal” platform, in which students are partnered with an elder partner to interact with 2 times a week. We feel by doing so, students and our partners will be able to have someone to support each other during these trying moments. Right now, we have partnered with Talmadge and Serving Seniors and are figuring out the logistics of this project. I am looking forward to seeing this project through and hope that this can impact the lives of our participants.