Live Well Springfield Delivered Care Packages to Older Adults

August 5, 2020

 During this pandemic, there is a significant struggle for individuals and families to see loved ones. It is especially challenging for high-risk folks like older adults and individuals with chronic health issues. Long weeks and months at home, often alone, can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Even before the pandemic nearly 1 in 5 Americans 65 and older were socially isolated, according to AARP Foundation. With the pandemic, even older adults with family and community connections are experiencing isolation and anxiety, especially with senior centers and other activities still closed. 

During this pandemic, there is a significant struggle for individuals and families to see loved ones. It is especially challenging for high-risk folks like older adults and individuals with chronic health issues. Long weeks and months at home, often alone, can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.

For this reason, the Live Well Springfield’s Age-Friendly Coalition created social isolation care packages for older adults and families living in Springfield. These care packages are a small reminder to residents that they are not alone during these tough times. The social isolation care packages, filled with community resources, activity books, care essentials, and PPE equipment, are a pilot project of the Age-Friendly Initiative to combat social isolation. Community health workers report positive responses: one patient sent a photo of the game of checkers and said, “Thanks for the games- we’re doing something different!” Another resident from the Springfield Elder Affairs said, "That bag was awesome. There was something in there for everybody--It contained stuff for everyone in the family."


With support from our funders, Tufts Health Plan Foundation and Trinity Health, Live Well Springfield’s Age Friendly Initiative and Go Fresh Mobile Farmer’s Market, were able to pivot our programming to purchase and distribute these care items along with the fresh produce boxes as part of the Go Fresh Emergency Food Distribution. UMass Extension provided bags and resources, Greater Springfield Senior Services provided information about older adult services, Ener-G-Save provided cooling guards, and Serenity Care PACE provided 1,200 gloves and masks for the kits. Wellspring Cooperative delivered the packages to the Go Fresh site coordinators located at Linden Towers, Independence House, Colonial Estates, Riverview Senior Center and Springfield Department of Elder Affairs, and to our community partners including Baystate Health Geriatrics, Mass Senior Action, and Healthy Homes Asthma Program. Altogether we distributed 300 care packages. 



The Age-Friendly Coalition recognizes that care items are just one of the many ways we can support older adults and families and will continue to advocate for more ways to help residents during this pandemic. For more information about the Age-Friendly Coalition or to become a member, please contact Samantha Hamilton, Live Well Springfield Manager.​


share this

Related Articles

Fall 2025 Respiratory Virus Information

October 15, 2025
Get information about current vaccine recommendations and answers to common questions

Upcoming Webinar Nov 14 on Rural Health Equity

October 14, 2025
Join us for a free webinar, November 14, 2025, from 12:00 - 1:15 pm, exploring the unique challenges and strengths of rural communities across Western Massachusetts, featuring State Senator Jo Comerford , Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district, Laura Kittross , Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, and Phoebe Walker, Franklin Regional Council of Governments.
group photo of resident advisors and staff

Resident Advisors Gather For Peer-to-Peer Learning

October 14, 2025
On September 27th, resident advisors (RAs) from the Public Health Institute of Western MA gathered at Regreen Springfield for a Peer-to-Peer Learning Workshop. RAs from the following 5 coalitions shared successes, challenges, and key learnings. A team of RAs representing each initiative led presentations that sparked dialogue, allowing everyone to learn from one another, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of community efforts. Intergenerational Social Connections (ISC): Focuses on bringing youth and older adults together in Springfield to reduce loneliness, build relationships, and strengthen community across generations. Live Well Springfield Climate Change and Health Equity (CCHE): Focuses on advancing community choice energy for Springfield, creating strategies to address extreme heat, and developing a new Climate Change Action Plan for the city. Live Well Springfield Transforming Communities Initiative (TCI): Focuses on addressing Springfield’s housing needs by improving housing conditions, increasing affordability, and expanding opportunities for homeownership. Healthy Air Network: Focuses on monitoring air quality, exploring transportation issues, developing an innovative app, and tackling climate change challenges  The workshop also served as a warm welcome and orientation for new RAs joining the committees, especially our new Parent Advisors for the Youth Mental Health Coalition (YMHC), which is focused on youth mental health and problem gambling. Learn more about the resident advisor program .