Senior Style

Reach out to make a difference periencing difficulty to get help, and if someone appears to be suffering, he urges others to reach out and make suggestions. Vivalon Vivalon (the nonprofit that was formerly called Whistlestop) is focused on providing essential support services for elders. "Everything we do is focused around human connection," says Chief Operating Officer Nancy Geisse, who explains that the adverse effects of isolation include depression and cognitive decline. Everyone at Vivalon is trained to recognize the power of social connections, and, "It really drives everything we do," she says. "When we give a ride, it's not just a ride. When we give a class, it's not just a class. What we are giving is the feeling that someone cares about you." Vivalon has had 180,000 encounters with seniors since measures to slow the pandemic began. Among them are delivering meals and groceries. Drivers are trained to spot problems and report concerns if a senior's behavior seems out of character. Vivalon has also expanded its services, and 135 older adults are having regular phone chats with peers or high school students. Others are receiving weekly calls from nursing students at Dominican University, who check their medication and find out how they're doing. "We've made 2,300 check-in calls," Geisse says. Many are social visits, and callers tell seniors about classes they might enjoy and what other organizations are offering. Vivalon's classes have continued and are now free and available on landline and Zoom. To access Vivalon's services, peo- ple should call the front desk at 415-456-9062, and a staff member will find out what they need and direct them to the appropriate person. LITA of Marin The specific purpose of LITA (Love Is The Answer) of Marin is to improve the quality of life for elderly residents of Marin who are socially isolated. Several programs for in-person visits had to go on hold when the shelter-in-place went into effect, and so LITA changed the way it does things. For example, it's connected with 28 long-term-care facilities, and most visits shifted to phone or video chat. In addition, a pilot program has visitors going to seniors' homes to talk with them through a window or from a front porch with masks and 6-foot distance. "We're being extremely careful," says executive di- rector Barbara Brown, who explains that the program is a study to learn if personal contact alleviates lone- liness and makes people less prone to the negative effects of isolation. Physical health is related to mental health, so main- taining physical activities is beneficial as well. Pre-pan- demic, Bridging Thru Music was a popular program that allowed seniors to give music lessons or perform, and LITA adapted the program by creating a YouTube Clockwise from left: "Where's Ringo?" band playing outdoors at the long-term care facility Creekwood in Novato The public ad- dress system and the residents were inside the building, and the band was outside. The band followed public health protocol by staying 6 feet away from one another and wearing facial cover- ings while not singing. The event was organized by the Bridging Thru Music program. Bridging Thru Music program with a ukulele lesson (pre-COVID); Brown bag pantry at Vivalon. – Photos courtesy of LITA, by Mo DeLong A Marketing Supplement of the Marin Independent Journal | marinij.com Senior Style October 18, 2020 7

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