Pen Pals Program Launched To Keep Fulton Seniors Connected

FULTON COUNTY, GA — Fulton County wants to help seniors to maintain their social connections with each other and with Fulton County service providers. Home bound seniors may be at higher risk for isolation, which can put emotional well-being at risk.

Fulton County’s new senior pen pals program wants to assure seniors who are isolated or home bound that they are not alone or forgotten. The pen pal program is a partnership between the Fulton County Departments of Senior Services and Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities that will allow behavioral health providers to communicate with seniors who want a pen pal. Senior services and behavioral health want to ensure that the emotional and physical needs of isolated seniors are met.

“The pen pals program serves as another strategy for ensuring that our seniors are not socially disconnected from their communities while we all abide by social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Senior Services Director Ladisa Onyiliogwu.

“We know that lengthy periods of isolation can lead to stress and anxiety, which can impact not only mental health, but physical health,” added Behavioral Health Director LaTrina Foster.

Seniors who want a pen pal can register online.

Home bound seniors who receive delivered meals and may not have access to the internet will also receive the opportunity to participate. They will receive surveys inviting their participation.

Pen pals is another resource to help citizens continue to “cope and hope” as communities wait for the nation’s return to traditional social and family connections.

Senior services begins online classes to keep seniors connected and active

The Department of Senior Services wants seniors to maintain their health and wellness. The department has initiated online classes to allow seniors to remain active and connected to their classes as Fulton County continues to adhere to social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

A variety of online classes began April 13.

• Exercise classes that include line dancing, stretch and exercise, Yoga, and Tai Chi
• Fall prevention
• Better choices/Better U (Strategies for healthier eating)
• Cooking and learning with care – cooking demonstration
• Basic computer
• Introduction to iPhone/iPad
• Ins and outs of audition preparations (for those who are interested in entering the entertainment industry)

Senior Services Director Ladisa Onyiliogwu emphasizes the importance of keeping seniors engaged.

“We are providing the necessary resources to keep Fulton County seniors active and connected," Onyiliogwu said. "We know that physical activity and connections with others are vital for seniors to maintain good physical and emotional health."

Seniors who want to participate can visit online for information about available classes and registration requirements or email seniorservices@fultoncountyga.gov and use the subject line ‘Senior Virtual Programming’.

The online classes will continue in the future after multipurpose facilities reopen in order to allow greater access to classes by those seniors who are unable to participate because of full facility classes as well as those who are unable to get to classes on a specific day or time.

For information about other programs offered by Senior Services, seniors can call the STARline at 404-613-6000.