Elderly folk are often heard to say that they feel invisible. This phenomenon is magnified several times at Christmas when loneliness can be a crippling burden for many. As you prepare to spend time with your family this Christmas, please spare a thought for those who will have to spend this time on their own.
Of course, loneliness at Christmas is not the preserve of the elderly. But it strikes this section of our community particularly frequently. When the shops close, the roads empty and the sounds of family and friendship resonate from over the road, that’s when loneliness and depression kick in.
Loneliness is likely to be amplified this year after the extensive amount of time the elderly have already had to endure under strict lock-down, frequently while the rest of us have been able to get out and about. It’s been a tough year for the elderly and the battle against loneliness and the feeling of helplessness has been exhausting for many.
Perhaps you could help? Your children or grand-children could read to an elderly neighbour, or spend some time simply listening to the stories of their youth. A gift delivered to the pensioner next door, or an invitation to share Christmas lunch with you, could be the greatest kindness he experiences all year.
Kerikeri Retirement Village will be open over Christmas and New Year. We’ll do our bit to ensure our single residents feel loved and engaged but if you feel like popping in to add extra sparkle to their Christmas please do so.
In a similar vein, and thinking ahead to the New Year, do you have any spare time or a skill that will make life easier for others? If so, we always welcome community volunteers and would hugely appreciate your help.
Volunteers are a vital part of life here. We now have more than 70 people who help deliver a range of services to our residents. But Penelope Spencer, our volunteer coordinator, is always keen for more.
If you’d like to help please call our receptionist on 4070070 or drop an email to penelope@kerikerivillage.co.nz. You could make a huge difference to our less physically-able residents. A friendly face and a chat brightens their day, especially for those who don’t have family living nearby.
We won’t ask you to take care of people’s physical needs, we have qualified staff to take care of all that. But help with simple activity like reading or writing letters, arranging flowers, or serving meals makes all the difference to these residents. And the company gives them something extra to look forward to. Plus, the stories you’ll hear! The Village is chock-a-block full of rich life histories and colourful characters so it’s a lot of fun, too.
So if you’d like to do something a little different, please think of us. Here’s wishing you and yours all the joy of Christmas and a happy, successful and peaceful 2021.
