A little love and kindness goes a long way during these challenging times, especially for our senior population.

Maija McCahery, marketing manager at Birmingham Retirement Community in Mount Forest, said at the very beginning of COVID-19, while things were uncertain, they did have to [scale] back on all activities.

“We have recently […] in the last couple of months been able to graduate to regular scheduled exercise classes, smaller groups of on-site bingo, an occasional craft, which would involve seniors working with their own set of tools, makers, paper, etc.,” she said.

In addition to that, McCahery said Birmingham has had some support from the local churches, where they have performed outside church services.

McCahery added that Birmingham received a generous donation to help their seniors connect with their loved ones.

“The Township of Wellington North contacted us earlier this year, when COVID was announced and the pandemic was apparent, and they donated five iPads, which we have put into circulation within the community, so that seniors could reach out to their various family members and see them via video,” she said.

McCahery said the iPads have also been very beneficial for virtual doctor appointments.

She also said that one woman from the community called and asked how she could give back to the seniors at Birmingham.

“That lady went to one of our local stores in town and put the money back into the business by buying some speakers for us, so some of our harder hearing seniors could hear what their families were saying on the iPad video chat,” McCahery said.

The community is encouraged to drop off cards, treats, or for those who know anyone in Birmingham, to pick up the phone and call, just to check in.