The Lady-Links have started a concerted effort to send cheerful cards and notes to our dear friends, those ladies in our community in various stages of cognitive decline. It is a joy both to the Lady-Link and to her dear friend to be involved in this Mail Call effort since we aren’t able to make in-person visits to everyone at this time due to COVID restrictions.  It’s fun to create or to select cards to send, and we are told from the spouses and/or caregivers of our dear friends that they love getting mail!

According to an article in the New York Times posted recently on the internet, the average household receives about 10 personal handwritten cards or letters per year.  Yes, per year.  It seems that emails, texts, and social media have taken the place of a handwritten note.  I know from experience how I sort through my mail quickly to look for something, anything, with a personal message.  Those are the ones I open first and then put in a special place where I can read and re-read them often.  The feelings of being valued by someone who took the time to write a message carry throughout the day and even beyond, according to that same New York Times article.

Here’s a look at some of our creations.

Of course we use regular stationery and “store-bought” cards too.  All are good and show our dear friends that they are remembered, loved, and appreciated.  A short handwritten phrase is usually added such as “Thinking of You” or “Have a Nice Day” or “So Glad We’re Friends.”

When our dear friends receive mail from us, we are investing our time, effort, and sometimes money, into something that will become an item for them to cherish, making a memory that will be revisited often.  These “love letters” are just that…written words that are made up of letters created with love, making Mail Call a meaningful moment in each dear friend’s day.

The Lady-Links are doing everything possible to be good neighbors by following the protocols established by our retirement community during this COVID pandemic.   As we continue with our activities to bring encouragement to our dear friends in various stages of cognitive decline, we are careful to maintain social distancing and wear masks. Even with restrictions, we have managed to find ways to continue to be neighborly by sending crafts, gifts, cookies, flowers, candy, notes, cards and even a joke book we put together to our dear friends.

Being a Good Neighbor

But isn’t that what a good neighbor does?  When my children were little, we watched Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, a TV program that taught how to be a good neighbor. Part of the show’s theme song included these lyrics, “I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.”  With Mr. Rogers’ viewpoint in mind, we should all strive to be neighbors who are “wanted.” And when a crisis such as a pandemic occurs, what would you want a good neighbor to do?  Most likely to find ways to be neighborly no matter what and to make the best of the situation.

Making Each Day a Beautiful Day

Another part of Mr. Rogers’ theme song says, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood….So let’s make the most of this beautiful day.”  The Lady-Links have come to realize that COVID doesn’t prevent us from having “beautiful days” and “making the most of them.”  It’s our attitude that makes each day beautiful or not.  When COVID brought about so many restrictions to our activities, we could have stopped our program…but we didn’t. We decided to continue to be “good neighbors” and to “help make each day a beautiful day” especially for our dear friends.

So….we continue to look for new ways to be good neighbors that weren’t incorporated into our program previously since, before COVID,  we were focused mainly on in-person visits.  And, as good neighbors, the Lady-Links are coming up with some great ideas to help our dear friends make each day a “beautiful day” in their neighborhood.  We think Mr. Rogers would agree.

 

 

 

 

 

The Lady-Links have a plan for 2021 that will continue to connect to our dear friends despite the COVID restrictions that are still in place and probably will be for much of this year.  We have always kept our goal of bringing love and laughter into the lives of our dear friends, those ladies in our retirement community in various stages of cognitive decline.  That goal won’t change.  But we have learned that the way in which we connect has to change depending on circumstances.

You don’t have to physically be with someone to let them know you care.  There are other ways to connect and we’re planning on doing that in three ways:

Card Connections – writing cheerful cards and notes on a regular basis.  Remember pen pals?  Well, this is the 2021 version of that!

Craft Connections – making seasonal and holiday crafts to send that will help with celebrations.

Chance Connections – taking advantage of special days or “spur of the moment” events to create something fun such as a flower bouquet or a batch of chocolate chip cookies to add joy to an otherwise ordinary day.

 

The Lady-Links will continue to show they care by adjusting how they bring love and laughter into the lives of their dear friends. We can handle change because we know our foundation for why we began Lady-Links hasn’t changed.   As a result, we can say with confidence that we look forward to 2021 even if it is COVID style.

Happy New Year from the Lady-Links

 

Our plans were in place…we had 50 Lady-Links, trained, scheduled,  and making visits to our dear friends, those ladies in our retirement community in various stages of cognitive decline, engaging them in activities they enjoyed and could successfully complete.  From craft projects to music, from cards to games, from a book club to Show and Tell sessions, we were enjoying interacting with our dear friends on a weekly basis.

Then March 2020 arrived and our in-person visits came to a halt due to restrictions put in place because of COVID-19.  The Lady-Links immediately came up with a new plan…keeping in touch with our dear friends through sending cards or notes and with phone calls.

When we realized that the restrictions on in-person visits were here to stay for an unknown extended period of time, we revised our plans once again.  We Lady-Links would meet, following the requirements for being outside with no more than eight in attendance, wearing masks and social distancing to create projects we could send to our dear friends.  The first was our Posey Party…making bouquets of flowers from a garden of one of the Lady-Links.

This was so successful that we came up with other ideas…craft projects done outside, even in the Texas heat, because the requirement was that any meetings had to be held outside.  We even brought a tape measure to our events to insure we were maintaining the six-foot distance rule!

We did a cookie project…decorating sacks and filling them with chocolate chip cookies provided by our dining services staff…and sent them to our dear friends and to their husbands.

Finally, the restrictions were lifted regarding the outside requirement for group events, so we were able to move indoors but still had to maintain social distancing with eight or less in attendance wearing masks, and we had to sanitize the room after our use.  It was just in time because the temperature was rising!

Inside, over the next several months, we compiled a joke book, made seasonal craft projects, and even decorated bags to fill with chocolates for “Do Something Nice” day.  All to share with our dear friends to keep their spirits up during this time of social isolation by letting them know they weren’t forgotten.

All projects were accomplished while fulfilling all the COVID requirements, including sanitizing what we used!

We even developed a plan we call “Linking from Home” for Lady-Links who wanted to contribute by making a craft for their dear friends,  but who preferred to stay home rather than come to a group event.

Our last group event of this unusual 2020 year was to make 100 Christmas/Holiday ornaments to send to the residents of our continuing care facility.  We accomplished this by using our Linking from Home Lady-Links and with a group of Lady-Links meeting together, following all the COVID protocols.  It was a joyful project and a perfect way to end our year.

We’ve learned that plans can change, and we’re very capable of making those changes.  What doesn’t change is our commitment to bring love and laughter into the lives of our dear friends.  We’ve had a great year…COVID style regardless!

 

Each year, the Lady-Links make over 100 craft ornaments to send to the residents in our community’s continuing care facility.  Usually, we have a big party with lots of festivities.  This year, we had to make some changes…but guess what…the Lady-Links still had fun, showing  a festive spirit (even without the delicious cake and punch we traditionally have) as they made the ornaments… but we did it COVID style.  That meant wearing masks, social distancing and no eating or drinking. We’re used to that by now, so have the routine “down pat!”  Our craft manager even had the ornaments separated into groups by table: Christmas, Holiday, Faith-Based, Winter-themed so each Lady-Links could choose where to sit according to her preference.  That way, each Lady-Link only handled the ornaments she made rather than sorting through them to make her selections.  Another health and safety measure we follow!

Under each mask is a smile.  This is a very special activity that we look forward to each December, and the Lady-Links know how to bring love and laughter with them regardless of circumstances!

We also had 12 Lady-Links working from home on this project.  For those who prefer to work in their own home rather than attend an in-person event, we have a “Linking from Home” option.  That way, each Lady-Link can stay involved but at her own comfort level for the health and safety guidelines she feels best.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Lady-Links…COVID style!

Our Lady-Links are kind and thoughtful women who truly love to invest in the lives of our dear friends, those ladies in our community in various stages of cognitive decline.  With COVID regulations restricting our in-person visits, we’ve managed to find other ways to connect with them such as through writing notes or cards, making phone calls,  and sending crafts or flower arrangements we’ve made.  Even with all those activities aimed at staying “linked” to our dear friends, our Lady-Links have had “extra’ time on their hands and have used it to find ways to invest in the lives of others who are important to them.  Recently, at one of our craft events, we shared some ways we’ve been keeping busy.

This beautiful quilt is almost finished.  Because of restrictions that required us to spend most of our time at home, this Lady-Link chose to spend much of it working on this project.  It will be a gift of love that her great-granddaughters will treasure forever.

Another Lady-Link spent her time knitting warm headbands that will benefit the homeless during the upcoming winter season.  She was a part of a team effort that made 90 of these.

Another Lady-Link used her extra time to teach science skills to a granddaughter and the art of making chocolate curls to a grandson.

Other Lady-Links continued their outreach by sewing masks for those in our community who needed one before masks became readily available.

Investing in people.  That’s what Lady-Links do.  And until these COVID restrictions lift and we can resume all of our in-person visits to our dear friends, you’ll find the Lady-Links making the most of their time investing in the lives of whoever needs them.

The Lady-Links don’t give up!  When COVID brought about restrictions on in-person and group events, we knew that we would find a way to continue to “link” to our dear friends, those ladies in our community with various types of cognitive decline.  Although each small group craft event was successful and followed all the health and safety guidelines, still we felt that another alternative needed to be offered.  That’s where the idea originated for “Linking from Home.”

All the Lady-Links wanted to stay connected with our dear friends during COVID but some were hesitant about working in a group setting.  The “Linking from Home” component was a great solution to keep everyone involved.  It just required a few extra steps.

Step #1 – The supplies and instructions for making the craft and an envelope with a colorful label for use in sending to the dear friend are delivered to the hallway shelf of each Lady-Link’s home who has chosen the “Linking from Home” component.

Step #2 – The Lady-Link completes the craft for her dear friend while being able to stay in her own home.

Step #3 – When finished, the Lady-Link puts the craft in the envelope and returns it to her shelf where it is picked up and delivered to her dear friend.

Step #4 – Being thankful for the many opportunities we have to stay linked to our dear friends, whether from home or from a small group setting, bringing joy to them and to each of us.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Lady-Links

The Lady-Links know what a blessing it is to stay connected with others.  Making crafts for our dear friends, those ladies in our retirement community in various stages of cognitive decline, is a wonderful way to maintain a strong friendship bond and, at the same time, to let them know they haven’t been forgotten during this time of social isolation due to COVID restrictions. One of the blessings this autumn has been our ability to continue to remain linked through crafts, notes, phone calls, sending treats and small surprises, helping our dear friends feel valued and blessed.

Maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, and limiting the number of Lady-Links during any one event are a part of our routine since the COVID guidelines were put in place.  It is a blessing that we have room to spread out and work on our crafts.

It is a blessing that we have a Lady-Link who serves as our craft manager and coordinates all our craft events.

It is a blessing that we have ladies who will give of their time and effort to be a blessing to others. (A double blessing!)

It is a blessing that the Lady-Links care about Linking Love with one another and with their dear friends.

We are truly blessed regardless of circumstances.

The Lady-Links have managed to stay connected to their dear friends even during this time of COVID restrictions, and that’s something to “hoot” about!  Because of following best safety and health practice restrictions, our in-person visits to those sweet ladies with various types of cognitive decline that we call dear friends  have been cancelled.  However, we are “wise” enough to know that remaining in touch is very important during this time of what can be considered as social isolation.  One of our favorite ways of staying linked to our dear friends is by making crafts to send to them.  We thought this owl was cheerful, cute, and colorful…three important points we look for when selecting projects to make.

We always enjoy getting together to do a craft project and, with the owl, there was talk of fall activities, decorations, and food.  But in addition to that, there was talk about how we are being “wise” in continuing our commitment to bring love and laughter into the lives of our dear friends, even COVID style.  That is so important, especially during this time when we can’t make visits to our dear friends to engage them in activities they enjoy and can successfully complete.  It would be easy to walk away and say that since our Lady-Links program can’t function as originally intended that we will shut down until the COVID restrictions are lifted. The Lady-Links are “wiser” than that, knowing that now is the time to stay connected more than ever and to even find things to “hoot” about!

Hoot #1:  We have a craft manager who devotes many hours to getting our crafts ready to assemble and demonstrating how that should be done.

Hoot #2:  We have dedicated Lady-Links who are eager to be involved in whatever way possible to stay connected to our dear friends.

Hoot #3:  All of our Lady-Links are very careful to follow the health and safety guidelines required during this time of COVID.

Hoot #4:  We have received such encouragement and support from our community and from the husbands and/or caregivers of our dear friends regarding our efforts to stay connected COVID style.

A wise old owl came to say

“A visit to a friend would be nice today.”

Then COVID yelled loudly, “That’s not okay.”

But the Lady-Links said, “We’ll find a way.”

So they made and sent crafts without delay.

Causing the wise old owl to say, “Hoot hoot hooray!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The year 2020 has brought many challenges to all of us, including our Lady-Links program.  Although we’ve restructured the way we connect with our dear friends, those ladies in our retirement community who have some type of cognitive decline including Alzheimer’s and other related types of dementia, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed…our spirit!  We are 100 percent committed to making their lives better!  And that means, in part, working to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s.  So when this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s had to be modified because of COVID 19, we were still “all in” which meant wearing masks and walking in small groups.  Even our opening ceremony was different this year….it was virtual!

 

The big announcement came during our virtual opening….our retirement community raised about $27,000 for research to help end Alzheimer’s!  That represented the largest amount raised by a group in our county!!  The Lady-Links, their families and friends, and the families of their dear friends were a significant part of that fund raising effort and a very enthusiastic part of the walk.

 

Even the dogs walked!

A very special part of our group included some of the husbands of our dear friends.

The Lady-Links are honored to have the husband of our very first dear friend continue to be very involved in our group.  Lady-Links started in 2012 for his wife,  and he has always been supportive and encouraging of our program even though she passed away several years ago.  He is a leader in our community and in our county towards informing people about Alzheimer’s as well as in raising funds.  He says that his bucket list includes being a part of the effort of identifying the first Alzheimer’s survivor, and that would mean that a cure was found!!!

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s.  All of us walked for the same purpose…we want to put an end to Alzheimer’s and all other related types of dementia.