Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.head.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_global_js_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_global_js.html"); ?>
<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.head.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }'include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.head.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_global_js_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_global_js.html"); ?>
<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.head.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }'include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 53 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.head.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }'include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.head.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }'include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know.
She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”
She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.
AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia.
“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”
Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.
Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents.
Connecting through cards
AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge.
Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly.
Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note.
“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.”
The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved.
“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.”
Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents.
Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world.
“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.”
Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.
For More Information on Social Isolation
This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the AARP Georgia page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.
Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, GA
Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET
Zoom
Online Event
Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Online Event
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1]Code Context$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = falseinclude - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1]Code Context$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = falseinclude - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Atlanta, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Atlanta, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Atlanta, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Atlanta, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Atlanta, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118
Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }', 'title_for_layout' => '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</h1></header> <div class="posted-on"> Posted on 03/31/21 by <b>Ann Hardie</b> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer"> <span class="blog-content"><p><div class="RichTextArticleBody"> <div class="RichTextArticleBody-body"><p>Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. <br><br>She volunteers with AARP Georgia’s postcard outreach program to connect with people in nursing facilities who are isolated because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I do wonder who gets the postcards,” said Yarsawich, 70, of Augusta. “I hope that they enjoy them.”<br><br>She was delighted to learn that one recipient of her efforts, George Bowman, loves the messages and hopes that they continue to come. “They put a smile on my face and keep me going,” said Bowman, 64, a resident of The Place at Deans Bridge Nursing and Rehab Center in Augusta.<br><br>AARP Georgia started the postcard outreach program to raise the spirits of nursing home residents who have struggled during the pandemic, said Hillary Johnson, outreach and volunteer engagement manager for AARP Georgia. <br><br>“People in nursing homes are really hurting emotionally— many can’t even see their families,” Johnson said. “We asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to brighten their day, to add some happiness and cheer?’ ”<br><br>Nationally, residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities make up more than a third of COVID-19 deaths.<br><br>Many nursing homes have curtailed group activities and visitors. The measures, taken to stop the spread of the coronavirus, have led to extreme loneliness, anxiety and depression for countless residents. <br><br><b>Connecting through cards</b><br><br>AARP Georgia launched the postcard program last year on Sept. 11, the National Day of Service, partnering with three nursing homes: Sadie G. Mays Health & Rehabilitation Center in Atlanta, PruittHealth in Macon and The Place at Deans Bridge. <br><br>Every month 20 volunteers write personal notes on the backs of preprinted greeting cards they receive from AARP Georgia. The nursing homes distribute 800 postcards monthly. <br><br>Yarsawich writes between 25 and 30 of them each month. The process is time-consuming, largely because she draws an image of Rusty, her beloved chiweenie (Chihuahua and dachshund mix), on each note. <br><br>“I thought that was a fun way to make the messages lighthearted,” Yarsawich said. “I chip away at the postcards all month. It feels good in my heart when I’ve finished them.” <br><br>The postcard program not only delights residents but also offers volunteers who have been sidelined because of the pandemic an opportunity to stay involved. <br><br>“Ordinarily, we would be out in the community,” said Romell Cooks, 76, an AARP volunteer from Appling. “I am a born helper. The postcard program has satisfied part of my need to be reaching out to people.” <br><br>Bowman said he is thankful that volunteers are finding a way to connect with him and other long-term care residents. <br><br>Since the pandemic, his nursing home has worked hard to keep residents engaged, he said, but it’s been difficult because most spend their days in their rooms. Visitors are not allowed when there are outbreaks in the facility. That’s why Bowman loves getting postcards from the outside world. <br><br>“It is encouraging that there are people out there who care,” he said. “I would like to thank all the volunteers for thinking of us.” <br><br><i>Ann Hardie is a writer living in Atlanta.</i><br><br><b>For More Information on Social Isolation</b><br></p><ul><li><span class="Enhancement"><span class="Enhancement-item"><a class="Link" href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2020/isolation-survey-coronavirus.html" target="_blank">Pandemic Has Created a Loneliness Epidemic</a></span></span></li><li><div class="Enhancement"> <div class="Enhancement-item"><span class="VideoEnhancement" data-video-disable-history data-embeddedvideo-container> <div class="VideoEnhancement-player"><div class="BrightcoveVideoPlayer" data-video-player data-module data-player-id="default" data-video-id="3951425350001" data-video-title="Health Effects of Social Isolation" data-account-id="3772599298001" data-aspect-ratio="4x3" > <iframe src="https://players.brightcove.net/3772599298001/default_default/index.html?videoId=3951425350001" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen width="300" height="168" allow="autoplay" > </iframe> </div></div> <div class="VideoEnhancement-title">Health Effects of Social Isolation</div> </span> </div> </div></li></ul></div> </div> </p></span> </div> </div> <p><i>This story is provided by AARP Georgia. Visit the <a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank">AARP Georgia</a> page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.</i></p> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><script src="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.c85a242a55150cd195e494cd6e5b9c77.gz.js" async=""></script> <link rel="stylesheet" media="all" href="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/resource/00000168-dd17-d487-a96e-df5fe3ee0000/styleguide/All.min.bfe6eb5a8301841feef3af4e9bd1e26d.gz.css"> <!-- bypass --> <style> a:focus, a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } h1.article-headline { margin: 0 0 1rem; } </style> <!-- <style> .Enhancement-item .Figure { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body ul { margin-bottom: 24px; } .RichTextArticleBody-body p{ margin: 12px 0; } .RichTextModule-items { clear: both; display: table; width: 100%; margin-bottom: 12px; } .VideoEnhancement>* { color: var(--primaryTextColor); font-size: 13px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.4; font-style: italic; background: #f0efed } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement>* { font-size:14px; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.47 } } .VideoEnhancement-title { padding: 20px } @media only screen and (min-width: 768px) { .VideoEnhancement-title { padding:30px } } .VideoEnhancement-player>* { position: relative; width: 100%; height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25% } .VideoEnhancement iframe { border: 0; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100% } [data-video-player] { display: block; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; margin: 0 auto; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="4x3"] { padding-bottom: 56.25%; } [data-video-player][data-aspect-ratio="16x9"] { padding-bottom: 56.25% } </style> --></div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-NEWSSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">Upcoming AARP Events</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/2024-connectatl-the-future-of-mobility-community-atlanta-ga-72524-qmntztvx2lg.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-2024-CONNECTATL-THE-FUTURE-OF-MOBILITY-COMMUNITY">2024 ConnectATL: The Future of Mobility & Community</a></h2> <p class="time">Thursday, Jul 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Georgia World Congress Center</p> <p class="loc">Atlanta, GA</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/fitness-strengthen-your-bones-qzn35fzyfjf.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-CLASS-STRENGTHEN-YOUR-BONES">Fitness Class: Strengthen Your Bones</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/smart-drivertek-virtual-workshop-discover-the-safety-benefits-of-new-car-technology-ryn8hl3hp8v.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-SMART-DRIVERTEK-VIRTUAL-WORKSHOP-DISCOVER-THE-SAFETY-BENEFITS-OF-NEW-CAR-TECHNOLOGY">Smart DriverTEK Virtual Workshop: Discover the Safety Benefits of New Car Technology</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Jul 8, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html): failed to open stream: No such file or directory [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e4f5b9-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre><pre class="cake-error"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none');"><b>Warning</b> (2)</a>: include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app//Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [<b>APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code</b>, line <b>1</b>]<div id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-trace" class="cake-stack-trace" style="display: none;"><a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-code').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Code</a> <a href="javascript:void(0);" onclick="document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display = (document.getElementById('cakeErr668c582e5044b-context').style.display == 'none' ? '' : 'none')">Context</a><pre id="cakeErr668c582e5044b-context" class="cake-context" style="display: none;">$module = array( '_id' => '66158db0e9dff2b1fd9cafcd', 'module_id' => '1098', 'name' => 'RHS - Events Experience', 'type' => 'php', 'data' => '<?php include(APP . "/Resource/experience.master.resource.root.html"); ?>', 'css' => '', 'script' => '', 'cache_time' => '', 'localize' => '0' ) $obj = false</pre><pre class="stack-trace">include - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 eval - APP/Lib/Modules.php(13) : eval()'d code, line 1 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 13 Modules::load() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 29 Localize::getModule() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 294 Localize::replace() - APP/Lib/Localize.php, line 219 Modules::render() - APP/Lib/Modules.php, line 9 include - APP/View/Elements/display.ctp, line 13 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 473 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167</pre></div></pre> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-ATLANTA-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP <br />in Atlanta</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-ATLANTA-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ' $scripts_for_layout = '<title>AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes</title> <meta name="page_title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Every month, Jean Yarsawich writes several dozen postcards with words of encouragement to nursing home residents she doesn’t know. She volunteers with" name="description"/> <meta content="AARP, Georgia, Volunteers, Deliver, Postcards, Socially, Isolated, in, Nursing, Homes" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://states.aarp.org/georgia/special-postcard-delivery-for-the-socially-isolated-in-georgia-nursing-homes" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/news/aarp-georgia-volunteers-deliver-postcards-to-the-socially-isolated-in-nursing-homes-ga-2021-03-31.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="article"/> <meta property="og:title" content="AARP Georgia Volunteers Deliver Postcards to the Socially Isolated in Nursing Homes"/> <meta property="og:description" content="AARP Georgia's postcard outreach to connect with people in long-term care facilities has lifted spirits across the state. Volunteers write and send 800 cards"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://aarp-states.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3a54b9e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7322x4707+435+0/resize/420x270!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Faarp-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fstates%2Fd4%2F36%2F53a55d164147b89c6319ae64e5ad%2Flw-16548-2ss.jpg"/> :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $title_for_layout = '{local_city_c}, {local_state} Happenings - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = ' :root { --primaryColor: #ff1e3c; --primaryTextColor: #2a2a2a; --linkTextColor: #1f66bd; --linkHoverColor: #1f66bd; --secondaryTextColor: #000000; --secondaryColor2: #000000; --secondaryColor3: #000000; --secondaryColor4: #000000; --secondaryColor5: #000000; --black: #000000; --white: #ffffff; --grey: #f0efed; --gridGutters: 30px; --modulePadding: 60px; --pageWidth: 86.11%; --maxPageWidth: 1240px; --horizontalAlignment: center; --fontFamily: 'Roboto', sans-serif; --headerBackgroundColor:#000000; --headerTextColor:#FFFFFF; --headerHeight:50px; --footerbackgroundColor:#000000; --footerTextColor:#918883; }' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Atlanta, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/">News Feed</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/atlanta-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/atlanta-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to News Feed', 'slug' => 'happenings' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 BlogsController::display() - APP/Controller/BlogsController.php, line 81 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118