Amity
[ah-muh-tee] noun
peaceful, friendly nature
much like the French word ami, which means “friend”
The Problem.
Loneliness has been largely unaddressed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social isolation and loneliness are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that particularly affect seniors residing in Long-Term Care Homes (LTCs).
A study published in the Aging Health journal found that the prevalence of severe loneliness among seniors in LTCs is at least double that of community-dwelling populations.
Another study was done in nursing homes using the UCLA loneliness scale that found that all LTC residents felt lonely: 25% moderately and 75% severely.
Loneliness has many deleterious consequences including increased risk of depression, suicidal thoughts, aggressive behaviours, and anxiety. It was also found to be a risk factor for cognitive decline and progression of Alzheimer's disease, recurrent stroke, obesity, elevated blood pressure, and mortality.
Our Mission.
The mental health epidemic has been prevalent since the conception of LTCs.
Longevity lies within the problem, and thus lies within our organization — our mission extends beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
We hope to ease the isolation of the elderly, now and in the future.
To provide seniors in LTCs with remote companionship.
Project Amity aims to provide seniors in long-term care homes with additional comfort and amity.
Many seniors at long-term care homes do not have regular visitations. To combat corresponding loneliness, Project Amity was developed to introduce a digital means to ease this isolation. You—the very person reading this—can be matched with a care home resident, where the two of you can then phone/video-call at compromised times, or exchange letters to keep each other company.
Loneliness has been largely unaddressed through the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts anticipate a mental-health pandemic to soon follow—particularly in long-term care homes. Project Amity aims to initiate long-lasting relationships through the pandemic, where after quarantine regulations have been lifted, local trips will be organized so our volunteers can finally meet their companions in person!
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM.
@ourprojectamity to stay updated on our current campaigns and see the different ways you can volunteer with us today!
You can find more information on our FAQ page.