More than three‑quarters of students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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The pandemic this year has added many problems to our local school community and exacerbated others. A medical study showed that isolation and loneliness are associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a nearly fourfold increased risk of death among heart failure patients. A very recent study taken during the pandemic across several states stated that 76% of residents were lonelier than usual and 64% cannot leave their room to socialize including meals at the dining room. Many experts believe this to be a current public health crisis.
The students found the CDC lists “Connect with others” and “Connect with community organizations” as 2 of the best ways to combat depression and isolation exacerbated by the pandemic. The students felt they could contribute a valuable solution to the problem. They formed a club of volunteer students offering morning and afternoon meeting times between students and residents. The meetings have several 1:1 slots and an open forum for everyone else which will consist of a theme such a game, exercises, or music. At this time, the activity director at the facility signs up a resident up for a 1:1 with a student.
Students will use these tablets to teach elderly residents in a local assisted living facility how to video chat with volunteer students and with their families. They will also be adding shortcuts to music and books that the residents can enjoy and teaching them to navigate to them easily. This will help the residents be able to take back some control to their immediate environment during the isolation portion of this pandemic thanks to this technology.
About my class
The pandemic this year has added many problems to our local school community and exacerbated others. A medical study showed that isolation and loneliness are associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a nearly fourfold increased risk of death among heart failure patients. A very recent study taken during the pandemic across several states stated that 76% of residents were lonelier than usual and 64% cannot leave their room to socialize including meals at the dining room. Many experts believe this to be a current public health crisis.
The students found the CDC lists “Connect with others” and “Connect with community organizations” as 2 of the best ways to combat depression and isolation exacerbated by the pandemic. The students felt they could contribute a valuable solution to the problem. They formed a club of volunteer students offering morning and afternoon meeting times between students and residents. The meetings have several 1:1 slots and an open forum for everyone else which will consist of a theme such a game, exercises, or music. At this time, the activity director at the facility signs up a resident up for a 1:1 with a student.
Students will use these tablets to teach elderly residents in a local assisted living facility how to video chat with volunteer students and with their families. They will also be adding shortcuts to music and books that the residents can enjoy and teaching them to navigate to them easily. This will help the residents be able to take back some control to their immediate environment during the isolation portion of this pandemic thanks to this technology.