Say Hello to a Bi-Weekly Call-In Show Designed to Help Aging Adults Weather the COVID-19 Storm
May 03, 2020
New, virtual community gatherings from ‘The Hello Project’ help older adults stay connected and
informed during uncertain times.
When The HELLO Project received a BUILD Health Challenge grant
back in November to address social isolation and loneliness amongst elderly adults in Reno, they
had no idea how timely and relevant the program would be. Rising to the challenge, The HELLO
Project has fast-tracked programs to engage and enrich the lives of older adults sheltering in
place.
It Starts with Hello, The Hello Project’s bi-weekly virtual community gathering place, takes place
Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon, and people can attend by calling in or joining on their computer
via Zoom (See viewing information here). Each show will feature a timely topic, factual
information, a chance to chat with others in the community, and ends with some good news – The
Daily Dandelion.
The first episodes of the virtual series featured Dr. Coard from Renown Health’s Stacie
Mathewson Behavioral Health and Addiction Institute. During these informative sessions, Dr.
Coard discussed anxiety and helpful strategies to deal with the stress of this pandemic. The
HELLO Project also produced a four-page resource guide to direct the community to resources
for staying socially engaged during these challenging times.
“While we keep referring to this period of isolation as social distancing, it really should be thought
of as physical distancing,” said Kindle Craig, Director of Renown Health’s Healthy Aging Institute.
“Yes, to keep each other safe we need to keep our physical distance, but there is no reason we
have to be socially isolated. In fact, now, more than ever, it’s important that we foster our social
connections. It Starts with Hello is about just that - we feature local experts talking about
everything from mental health to nutritious cooking, and then we open it up and allow time for
community conversation.”
A partnership between Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities, Renown Health, and the
Washoe County Health District, The HELLO Project, formerly known as CARE, was initially
started due to the rate of suicide in Washoe County.
“Washoe County’s suicide rate is twice the national average for people 65 and older, and four
times the national average for people 85 and older¹,” said Sharon Zadra, executive director of
Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities. “We couldn't ignore the statistics. We had to try a new
approach.”
For more information on It Starts with Hello and how to join the conversation, please visit
www.hellostartsnow.org and enter your email address. From there, you will receive information
on how to attend the virtual community gatherings.
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About Renown Health
Renown Health is a locally governed and locally owned, not-for-profit integrated healthcare
network serving northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe and northeast California. Renown is one of the
region’s largest private employers with a workforce of more than 7,000. It comprises three acute
care hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital, the area’s most comprehensive medical group and urgent
care network, and the region’s largest and only locally owned not-for-profit insurance company,
Hometown Health. Renown has a long tradition and commitment to continually improve the care
and the health of our community. For more information, visit renown.org.
About Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities
Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities is a collaborative of thought leaders and influencers who
seek to make an impact on the health of their community. The collaborative seeks to build a model
where all community members strive toward a culture of health in the Truckee Meadows. This
model will include the intersection of the health, education and community development sectors
in our region. Truckee Meadows Healthy Communities seeks to create a healthier community
through a collective impact project.
About the Washoe County Health District
The Washoe County Health District has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making Washoe County District Board of Health. The District consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.
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