WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Some Central Ohio college students are finding ways to connect with senior citizens living at Friendship Village, who may be feeling a little isolated during the holidays.

What You Need To Know

  • Students were looking forward to seeing their friends until a stay-at-home advisory was put in place

  • It's been months since students have been able to see residents because of COVID-19

  • The group Grandma's House hopes to to record some songs for seniors to watch as a way for them to know they are thinking of them

It’s the end of the semester, and students from Otterbein University took time out of their busy schedules to connect with seniors living at Friendship Village in Westerville.

Katie Barber, 21, has been visiting with seniors since her freshman year. 

 

“This helped me grow as a person to really listen to people who are older than me because they have great life experiences, and their stories are just so meaningful," the psychology and public health major said.

While Barber has gained so much from it, Sarita Pattisam has too.

“It's pretty rewarding, I would say, because you get to like kind of make an impact on their day. It's like an hour out of like a student's time but for them, it's like getting a chance to like talk and have great conversations maybe get their nails done or do like a craft. So it's been really cool," said Pattisam.

Of course, now it’s very different. Before COVID-19, students like Barber and Pattisam made regular visits to the senior living facility with others from Grandma’s House, a volunteer organization on campus they lead. But it’s been months since they’ve been able to do that.

“For me personally it makes me really miss it, especially since this is my last year," Barber said.

Understanding that social isolation has been a big challenge during the pandemic for the elderly, writing cards and sending crafts is one way Barber said they’ve tried to stay connected.

“Even when we're just doing crafts and stuff, it's just the fact that somebody in the, I guess you would say, outside world is thinking of the people who are living in the in Friendship Village, so it's really all about the relationships and the meaningful connections that you're able to make.”

And reminding them that they are not forgotten.

While Barber wishes she could see the seniors she’s grown to care for, she’s just glad that they can make some sort of contact. Barber says the group hopes to record themselves singing and playing instruments for seniors to watch, now that Franklin County is under a stay-at-home advisory.