The Newton Police Department has launched a campaign, “Make a Senior Your Sweetheart,” to remind residents during the week around Valentine’s Day — and every day — to provide kindness, connection, and support for senior citizens in the community. This week, through its #SeniorSweetheart social-media campaign, the department is highlighting local businesses — including Antoine’s Bakery and Cabot’s Ice Cream — and the department’s services to help seniors.
The campaign launched with this charming video of an officer helping a senior who might — or might not — have needed assistance crossing the street.
The department’s Elder Affairs Officer is Officer Rosenbaum, a 13-year veteran on the force who tracks incidents, helps educate seniors about scams, and connects seniors with various services for heating assistance, food assistance, and outside protective services.
Chief Carmichael explained that the department maintains a Wanders List with information provided by families who have someone who may be prone to wander due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. (Call the Community Services Bureau at 617-796-2103 to register.)
Outside the department, the campaign is highlighting the generosity of citizens like Nate Sorrell, an 11-year-old Newton Highlands resident who has been helping seniors in his neighborhood for several months. With transportation assistance from his parents, Nate runs shopping errands for elderly neighbors on a volunteer basis. He explains, “One day I was shopping at Trader Joe’s for a friend of mine who is 90 years old. She couldn’t go out because she had Covid but she wanted some food from Trader Joe’s. So I bought a bunch of her favorite foods and she was really happy. I realized I could help other people who were stuck inside with Covid by running errands for them. My favorite errands are at Trader Joe’s but I also go pick up medicine and stuff too. It makes me feel good to be able to help my neighbors.”
