Little acts of kindness

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Jessie Davies has been a recreation manager at an independent living senior retirement home on the North Shore for the past two years. She began office just months before the COVID-19 pandemic separated many of the residents from their family and friends.

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“It provided a unique perspective on how much the support of their families means to them in more normal circumstances,” he says. “As staff at the facility, we became the family members who once made their lives easier with their visits. We move their furniture, we become technical support for their devices, we put pictures on the walls and we help them connect to the Internet. “

As BC nursing homes ease visitation restrictions, families can reassert some of the support older adults depend on. But there is still plenty of room for volunteers to use their unique talents to help and involve residents, or guide them in activities.

Kevin Cho is a 12th grade student at Sentinel High School in West Vancouver who discovered the true value of the violin music that he has been practicing since the when he was three years old, when he took the instrument on a trip to Korea.

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“We were visiting my grandfather who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” he recalls. “He used to be my number one violin fanatic. But even though he no longer recognized me, when I played a recording of my violin performance, his eyes lit up. I could see it was still there. “

The experience inspired him to join Keys for Seniors in 2017. The volunteer club connects local seniors with live concerts and music lessons offered by young musicians. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group performed in outdoor settings whenever possible, but eventually had to cut back on the show schedule.

Wanting to keep sharing her music, Cho developed Remote Keys for Seniors, an online platform that offers YouTube performances, including special requests for individuals.

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Although virtual concerts have proven popular, he is looking forward to the live performances once again, the moment the group receives clearance.

“I’ve always enjoyed the reactions of our audience,” he says. “Some hum and sing and others start dancing. It’s great to perform in front of people who enjoy music so much that they ask for an encore. “

These acts of service can also occur in small moments. A restaurant worker at the Davies facility, for example, shared his expertise in Japanese calligraphy at a series of highly popular workshops for seniors.

For those who want to help, “Find some senior homes in your area and ask them what they need,” advises Davies. “Maybe you speak a particular language or you can share a unique skill. That will help match what you are offering with the seniors who can benefit the most. “

The story was created by Content works, Postmedia commercial content division.