Studies show that social isolation and loneliness exacerbate health risks, both emotional and physical, with older people particularly vulnerable. As the holidays approach, New Mexico’s Aging and Long-Term Services Department and other agencies are, for the third year in a row, soliciting student-made cards to send to senior citizens who may be spending the season alone.
The Create and Connect holiday card program aims to link generations by distributing cards made by young people to elders. ALTSD Secretary-designate Jen Paul Schroer called the program “a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their creativity while making a positive impact on the lives of older adults in their communities,” in a news release.
The cards should be mailed by Dec. 18 to the Aging and Long-Term Services Department c/o Denise King, 8500 Menaul Blvd., Suite B-350, Albuquerque, NM 87112.
