COVID-19 has changed everything this year, including the holidays. This means seniors in nursing homes will have to miss out on spending time with their families.
Normally, Clarissa Trevino would be visiting her grandma at nursing home this time of year.
“You want to be there and at least hold her hand, touch her, be able to hug her and hear her laugh in person but it’s just hard,” she said.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 put a stop to that.
“My grandma, she doesn’t recognize anybody. So, it tugs on the heart strings even more,” said Trevino.
“It’s hard to hold her iPad from someone that has dementia and try to explain to them, “This is your daughter speaking. Speak to your daughter,” and they don’t understand,” said Killeen Nursing and Rehabilitation Activities Manager Katrina Weems.
Weems says most residents at nursing homes across Central Texas haven't even been outside since April, causing feelings of loneliness and isolation.
However, things are starting to turn for the better.
“Now they’re allowed to have essential family members coming to visit. That is really boost our morale around the building,” Weems explained.
Trevino and the group, Project: Spread a Lil Love, will give 93 nursing home residents at Killeen Nursing & Rehabilitation gifts, a drive-by Christmas parade and more this Saturday.
“They want to be loved and at least feel like it. It’s just heartwarming to hear their responses. They are thought of. It’s really mind blowing,” said Trevino.
Call it part of the effort to show seniors they’re not forgotten during a time of the year all about family.
