Residents of an Australian nursing home have been given a taste of what it’s like to go viral.
Starting in June 2020, Waratah Lodge decided to poll residents on general advice they’d like to share with younger generations. It’s an amazing idea really, there is literally lifetimes worth of wisdom in their residents. It started out as a way to keep residents connected to the outside world, as the coronavirus pandemic has largely cut off those living in long term care.
The results have become a viral sensation that many look forward to weekly as they get posted to Facebook.
Residents hold up dry erase boards with the weekly topic, the resident’s name, and the advice they want to share with the world.
Aileen, 90, offers marriage advice: “Try before you buy.” One commenter encourages that you should check the return policy too!
https://www.facebook.com/www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au/photos/a.1580968278873078/2337661899870375/?type=3
“Head down, bum up and bugger what everyone else thinks,” writes 83-year-old Brian, with a cheeky grin!
https://www.facebook.com/www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au/photos/a.1580968278873078/2337662016537030/?type=3
Jo Marshall, the director of clinical and aged care services at Orbost Regional Health, tells Yahoo Life that the project started off as a one-off opportunity for seniors to impart words of wisdom for younger generations. But with their first post on June 16 getting thousands of shares and comments, they decided to make it a weekly activity.
https://www.facebook.com/www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au/photos/a.1580968278873078/2337662159870349/?type=3
“Our older generation has so much wisdom to share and they are really enjoying the opportunity to impart their knowledge and a cumulative 1141 years of life experiences with us.”
https://www.facebook.com/www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au/photos/a.1580968278873078/2337662356536996/?type=3
The residents shared memories of their favorite toy as a child this week, I showed my granddaughter and we had a great conversation about how toys have changed.
https://www.facebook.com/www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au/posts/2374218349548063
It’s a pleasure to wait for the weekly posts and keep up with the various residents. They all look fantastic. The last post had a reach of well over 10 million people, shared over 52 thousand times. Congrats to the residents on becoming Facebook famous.
https://www.facebook.com/www.orbostregionalhealth.com.au/posts/2367965373506694
