Age-Friendly Senior Outreach Program Supports Local Long-Term Care Communities

​During the height of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the Age-Friendly Allegany County committee came together to develop two (2) community outreach projects aimed at supporting older adults isolated in long term care facilities as well as the front line staff that support them and those older adults isolated in their senior living communities.
 
The first project was completed on November 25th, 2020, when hand-crafted yard signs made by members of the AFAC committee from 10 different organizations and local BOCES program students were placed around the outside of the windows at the five long term care communities in Allegany County. 

​Continuing into the holiday season, the AFAC committee developed “Operation Holiday Cheer” during the month of December. The project was a true community collaboration; bringing together 13 local organizations and youth groups through Age-Friendly Allegany County and the Allegany County Early Childhood Development Coalition to create over 450 holiday cards and crafts for distribution to the five long term care communities in Allegany County as well as three adult housing buildings. In addition to the holiday greetings, AFAC recruited a local Santa and Mrs. Claus to visit four of the five long term care communities to make contactless outdoor visits to the residents through the windows to their rooms. 

​Age-Friendly Allegany County is always looking for ways to collaborate on community projects. We are currently in the process of planning outreach efforts for the 2021 holiday season. Please contact us if you or your organization are interested in teaming up with AFAC to support the residents of Allegany County through various community projects.