Holiday Connection Campaign For Seniors Who Feel Lonely

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — The holidays can be a lonely time for seniors, especially during the coronavirus pandemic when many choose to isolate themselves to decrease their chances at exposure to coronavirus.

Local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are working together to make sure no senior feels alone this holiday season. Together Apart: Holidays at Heart Campaign is a Senior Connection Center, Inc., partnership with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) that is reaching out to seniors in Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties to see how they are doing and ensure they are aware of the resources available to them.

“Although we provide these services to seniors year-round, we have seen an increase in feelings of isolation and loneliness for many during the COVID-19 crisis,” Senior Connection Center, Inc. President and CEO Charlotte McHenry said. “We must do our part as a community to protect the physical and mental health of our most vulnerable population by reaching out to them during the upcoming holiday season.”

The agency will conduct this campaign until January. For more information about Together Apart: Holidays at Heart, visit www.holidaysatheart.org, and to learn more about Senior Connection Center, Inc., visit www.seniorconnectioncenter.org.

If you or a loved one are living with feelings of depression and loneliness this holiday season, please call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-96 ELDER (1-800-963-5337).