Caring Cards PHS Project

Caring Cards for the Elderly 

Being in quarantine and dealing with the tumultuous effects of COVID-19 has left many people feeling depressed and generally unhappy. The group of people highly affected by this reality is the elderly community. To help support elderly individuals and show sincere care for them, Krystal Mireles, Chief of Community Engagement, set up a card project that all PHS volunteers were able to take part in. The project consisted of hand-creating a card with a design on the front and inside to be sent to people in the Colonial Oaks Retirement Center. Volunteers from any part of the world are able to utilize their artistic skills and abilities towards the cause. 

Motivation behind the card caring project was the mental health states, specifically related to elderly individuals. According to the World Health Organization, 20+% of 60  years or older adults have a mental/neurological disorder [1]. Mental disorders such as depression have been discovered to have negative effects on one’s health. Most commonly seen is with greater risk of a stroke, developing diabetes, and worsened heart disease [2]. PHS  is an organization that stands by people from any background and situation. If you are someone who is experiencing mental health-related problems, it is highly encouraged you talk to a  professional and get the best support possible for you. 

Works Cited 

1. “Mental Health of Older Adults.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization,  12 Dec. 2017, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults.  
2. “Older Adults and Mental Health.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of  Health and Human Services, Mar. 2018, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/older-adults and-mental-health/.