Drives and events collect gifts for seniors facing holiday isolation

Communities and care organizations are organizing holiday support for older adults who may be lonely, isolated or struggling financially. In Tennessee, Family Healthcare of Gallatin is collecting gifts and personal-care items for nursing-home residents, while Feed Sumner is preparing Thanksgiving food boxes for clients, many of whom are seniors. In Corpus Christi, a public fall festival will bring residents and community members together and offer a way to fulfill seniors’ Christmas wish lists; in Joplin, Liberty’s long-running Christmas Elves program invites the public to shop for older residents spending the holidays alone. Guidance for families also emphasizes that visits, calls, shared activities and help with everyday needs can make the season more welcoming for older loved ones.