Taking This Time to be Aware, Engaged and Involved

Many terms have been utilized to describe the whiplash effect of COVID-19 sequestering the world. Unprecedented, twilight zone and surreal seem to resonate most in daily conversation. While we are required to “shelter in place” we can take this opportunity to evaluate how we got here and what needs to happen next. Older adults are able to manage a more nuanced perspective due to world life experience. At the same time, the most vulnerable of older adults are at risk due to underlying chronic medical conditions and compromised immune systems. Rebuilding with a sense of resilience has sustained us through a social revolution, an imploding housing market, terrorist attacks of 911, and the swift impact of technology. Those leapfrog experiences created setbacks and opportunities.



The “shelter in place” period has downshifted our hectic routines and given us time to examine long standing inequities in health, education, housing and economic opportunities which are the fundamentals of a strong society. We have a newfound appreciation of once hidden “essential workers” and “new heroes”. Now more than ever there is an awareness of the delicate balance of global inter-dependency for food, medical supplies, commerce and supply trains. As we embrace this time of critical thinking and reflection, we can influence what happens next to climate change, global relations, healthy life requirements and historic racial and economic inequalities. Rebuilding with resilience requires being aware, engaged and involved on all levels. Now is the time to reach across the aisle and remove old boundaries to build our new future together.



S. Orlene Grant, RN MSN President and CEO JCGF