TACKLING THE ISOLATION ISSUE When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, residents at Lifespace Com- munities’ Abbey Delray South community in Delray Beach, Fla., recognized the risks of isolation their population would face. In response, the community’s Lifespace Foundation adviso- ry committee, which includes residents, sponsored a series of TED talks and discussions on loneliness facilitated by Chaplain Gary Butler.
“This discussion ignited a desire in the residents to make sure they were doing all they could to help care for their friends and neighbors,” says Jay Lettow, development specialist for the Lifespace Foundation, which allows residents to raise funds for residents, team members, and enhanced services and pro- grams in their communities.
As a result of those discussions, the committee created a phone buddy program to help ease the isolation some fellow residents faced. The program was developed through resident and team member collaboration.
“The phone buddy program provided an important social-
ization and connection for the few in the community that did not get out regularly,” Lettow says. “It also gave those reaching out an important job in support of their neighbors and friends.” Six months before the pandemic arrived, Lifespace’s Oak
Trace community in Downers Grove, Ill., had formed the Friend- ly Ambassadors program to help new residents assimilate to the community. Ambassadors have dinner with new residents, take them for tours, and introduce them to others, among other steps. “One of the most important things they do is have conversa-
tions with the new residents about their interests and then con- nect them to other residents with similar interests,” says Paula Banno, lifestyle director at Oak Trace. “Additionally, the friendly ambassadors check in with everyone
on their floor periodically. They leave baked goods and cards, especially if they know the resident is feeling down. “When COVID-19 prevented in-person socialization, we had
one friendly ambassador walk around playing her flute outside of residents’ doors, so they would know they weren’t alone.” Ambassadors host welcoming parties when possible. One activity at the party includes participants grabbing random ques- tions from a bowl—Who was your first love? What was your first job?—to spark group conversations. “It’s almost magical how simple questions like these get ev- eryone talking and sharing,” Banno says. “Even our friendly am- bassadors have become closer with one another.”
PAIRING AND SHARING
Chelsea Senior Living, which has 16 communities in New York and New Jersey, hosts a resident ambassador program that facilitates the transition of new residents to its communities by pairing them with current residents.
“This is something Chelsea Senior Living has implemented in many of our communities for years,” says Jason Kahn, director of communications. Kahn says the primary benefits of the program are the imme- diate socialization opportunities for new residents and the way existing residents can make new arrivals quickly feel comfort- able in a way staff would struggle to replicate. “Residents at our communities assisting new residents share their experiences and relationships [and] that makes the transi- tion seamless for the new resident,” Kahn says. Chelsea’s lifestyles director creates a calendar full of activities that allows the new and current residents to interact in social ways that help the new residents meet other residents and grow accustomed to their new environment. “Our resident groups have formed friendships organically re- sulting from various breakout groups and activities,” Kahn says.
THE “GO-TO PERSON”
The resident ambassador program of Retirement Unlimited, which has 10 communities in Virginia, aims to encourage peer- to-peer interactions and inspire personal connections among residents. Resident ambassadors greet new residents during their tour
and help them on their move-in day. They also offer to host welcome gatherings, accompany new residents to their first few meals in the dining room, and help new residents to attend and interact with other residents during life enrichment program- ming, activities, and clubs. “Our resident ambassadors are very active and proud to be the voice and the ‘go-to person’ in their communities,” says Beth Kolnok, vice president of communications and engagement for Retirement Unlimited.
“THE PHONE BUDDY PROGRAM PROVIDED AN IMPORTANT SOCIALIZATION AND CONNECTION FOR THE FEW IN THE COMMUNITY THAT DID NOT GET OUT REGULARLY,” SAYS JAY LETTOW, DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST FOR THE LIFESPACE FOUNDATION. “IT ALSO GAVE THOSE REACHING OUT AN IMPORTANT JOB IN SUPPORT OF THEIR NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.”
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