Brookline Seniors On Lock Down Get Serenaded By Social Workers

BROOKLINE, MA — This week masked social workers were outside of Hebrew Senior Life's family residences on Beacon Street waving and serenading seniors, as many stood at their windows above smiling or clapping along. The vast majority of the residents, many of whom are in their 80s, have not stepped foot outside their apartment for the past month.

"You are my sunshine," sang the workers holding signs that read "We miss you."

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit congregate living facilities across the state exceptionally hard, officials at Hebrew SeniorLife's five campuses asked that residents "self shelter" in their homes beginning April 3.

Employees and volunteers are now delivering meals, making daily wellness calls, organizing programs by phone and in-house television, packaging and delivering groceries, sorting mail, coordinating laundry, picking up essential supplies, dog walking, and now, singing in an effort to lift spirits and help seniors.

During the mini concerts, social workers stand on the front side of the building and sing along with a musician, and then move to the back of the building in an effort to make sure as many residents can enjoy the music. They've been rotating buildings and have been joined by the likes of passers-by and even the Brookline Police, who blocked off the road so for the short concert.

"They sang along. It was wonderful," said Jill MacDonald, director of community life for Hebrew SeniorLife. "We are all one family."

The social workers were inspired by a rabbi who did something similar at the Jack Satter House, where 11 residents died after becoming infected with the virus.

The response among the seniors is evident by the smiling faces at windows on nearly every floor of the building as staff sang and waved on the street below.

"They absolutely love it. They talk about it for days," said MacDonald.

Another concert is planned for Mother's Day.

Hebrew SeniorLife operates the Center Communities of Brookline at 100 Centre St. and the Julian and Carol Feinberg Cohen Residences at 112 Centre St, and the Diane and Mark Goldman Family Residences at 1550 Beacon St.

As of May 5, one person has tested positive for the coronavirus at Center Communities of Brookline, and that person has died, according to the Hebrew SeniorLife website.

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).Have a press release you'd like posted on the Waltham Patch? Here's how to post a press release, opinion piece.