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For seniors in assisted living facilities, the past year hasn’t been easy.

That much is certain, said Kimberly Swank, activities director at Valley Vista Care Center.

“It’s been really really hard on them,” she said. “I think they’ve had some decline in their physical and mental health.”

Many of the activities seniors are allowed to do for their safety is limited, Swank said. And unlike before the pandemic, visitors are not allowed. Family members may visit, but only after a negative COVID-19 test.

That’s why, when Kimberly Tinley approached her about starting an “Adopt an Elder” pen pal and phone call program for the center’s 55 residents, Swank was all for it.

Tinley said the Lord gave her a heart for the elderly, and after hearing how lonely some seniors in assisted living facilities were, she wanted to help.

Starting in Late November of last year, she worked to get Christmas cards from community members to seniors, and arranged a Christmas window visit, where a group of locals came with signs and sang carols for residents at the center.

“We met outside the facilities like the second week of December. And we were able to gather over 400 cards and deliver them to each facility that's local.”

The seniors at her center were overwhelmed, Swank said.

“They loved it. They absolutely loved it. It was such a sweet, touching thing,” Swank said.

Tinley remembered the moment fondly, recalling the seniors’ emotional responses.

“We had a sign that had said that they were cared for and that we loved them,” she said. “There's just a couple of them that would just — you would see them read it over and over and over again, and just start bawling and reaching out to us.”

From that point forward, Tinley said she knew she had to do something more.

“They need to have relationships with people and not just a group of people coming occasionally,” she said.

So Tinley started coordinating, reaching out to Swank to figure out a procedure for how her plan could become a reality. Over a month later, it’s finally ready to begin.

Those who wish to participate are asked to write one letter and make one phone call a month to that senior, Tinley said. Those individuals are provided a resident’s first name, along with their birthday so it’s possible to celebrate and organize a window visit.

The goal, she said, is to have a person assigned to each elder. That person then contacts Tinley when they’ve reached out each month to ensure no one is forgotten. If there’s a month someone can’t call or write, Tinley or another volunteer will.

Even though doesn’t involve a big time commitment, having someone reach out means the world to seniors who are in many ways shut off from the rest of the world, Swank said.

“We’ve had some very nice things done for us over this past year,” Swank said. “The residents may remember at the time and some may not remember ever, but the gratitude in the moment is so profound.”

In the future, Tinley said, she hopes to expand the program to other assisted living facilities in the area. For now, She’s starting with Valley Vista Care.

To participate in the “Adopt an Elder” program, email [email protected].