âWhat is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.â â Agnes Mae Pharo Generations would like to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy and HEALTHY New Year! GENERATIONS JOINS NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS OF SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONLINESS AMONG OLDER ADULTS AND CAREGIVERS The holidays will look a bit different for many of us this year. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and interact with one another. For many older adults, this can mean a loss of social connections that, if left unaddressed, can have serious negative mental and physical health consequences. This is why Generations is participating in Home for the Holidays, a national campaign led by the Eldercare Locator and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), this year in partnership with the University of California, San Diego Center for Healthy Aging. Launched every year during the holiday season, Home for the Holidays is intended to help families and friends discuss difficult topics with their loved ones. A new consumer brochure is the focus of this year’s campaign, “Staying Connected and Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers,” which highlights the importance of social connection, its impact on our physical and mental health — and ways the Aging Network can help older adults connect to their communities during this time of limited in-person social interactions. The “Staying Connected” brochure can be found online at n4a.org. Generations can connect consumers to programs that provide a variety of ways to stay connected to others in their communities, including volunteer opportunities and health aging workshops. For more information on Generations volunteer programs and healthy aging workshops, please contact Cathy Jones at 812-888-5159.