My grandmother passed away in May 2024. In her earlier years of old age, before mobility and memory became an issue, she was the posterchild for building community and supporting those around her who needed extra help.
She provided support to friends, family, and neighbours through her involvement in a whole host of community organisations. She ran residents assocations, women's groups, craft mornings...She actively contributed to creating community. As she aged, and began to need that support herself, the community she spent so many decades investing in ralied to provide her with the help needed to remain living independently for as long as possible.
She was blessed with two daughters who worked tirelessly to ensure that a day never passed without family around her, and when she moved into a nursing home, they extended that sense of family to the other residents. It's incredible to see firsthand how social connection and interaction can be a lifeline in these communities, the difference between a good day and a bad day, a day spent entirely alone or a day that has a glimmer of light created through interacting with another person.
The work that LiLY does allows ageing adults to retain their automony, their sense of home and community. These are the most fundamental parts of being - and feeling - human and worthy. And it's impossible for any organisation to provide such life affirming care without donations of both time and money.
My grandmother would think running a marathon is absolute insanity, but she would adore the idea of doing it in the greatest city in the world, and that it directly contributes to allowing older adults to age with independence and community around them.
