Aged care residents and school kids combat isolation through virtual visits

A new pilot program developed by Anglicare Sydney with Abbotsleigh School combats loneliness and isolation by virtually connecting Year 7 and 8 students with residents at Anglicare’s Residential Aged Care homes.

The two-month program, developed by Anglicare’s youth initiative Take Love, includes four virtual visits using iPads and an in-person morning tea, and was initially intended to help students develop life skills and to understand the community’s needs.

But in its pilot run this year, it has also served to help both young and older participants through a period of isolation due to COVID-19.

“This program helped to lift the resident’s spirits, reflect upon the positive aspects of their past and present life and pass on wisdom,” said Matthew Redmond, Anglicare partnership and development officer.

“It helped to remind residents that at whatever age you can still make new friends and be connected to the community at large.”

For the students, the past 18 months have involved challenges beyond what they could have imagined as they started high school in the midst of a pandemic. But their conversations with the aged care residents have helped them see how to live life through different stages and experiences.

“There’s so many things that you don’t just learn in school and you just learn from having a conversation with someone that has a different story to you,” said Laura, Abbotsleigh participant.

The program culminated in a face-to-face morning tea in June, where students presented residents with handmade personalised gifts.

The pilot program included 40 students and 20 aged care residents across two locations – Warrina Village, Castle Hill and Donald Coburn Centre. The program is supported by Anglicare’s “Rhythm of Life” model of care, which looks to support all residents in living a life that is most meaningful to them.

Anglicare hopes to expand the virtual program across more Residential Care Homes and schools, with the face-to-face component being suspended until restrictions are lifted in Sydney.

Find out more about Anglicare Sydney.