Many older adults, especially those in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, are unable to have visitors because of the pandemic. That's why Generus started a movement to create uplifting and inspiring virtual stories for anyone not receiving visitors right now. We call them “Video Visits” and they are now a YouTube library of one to three minute personal messages from community members sharing a story, a song, or a how-to. They are incredibly heartwarming no matter what age you are but we have many requests and need more stories from older adults. We hope you will consider helping us by telling your story on video and viewing the videos community members have made for you.

Why Video Visits?

When people ask me why I started this initiative, I tell them about my grandmother who cared for me in my early years. I was so excited when she would get home from work and we would drive around the local “Tasty Freeze” for Coke and french fries every afternoon. She walked to work every morning before the sun came up so she could leave early in the afternoon to take care of me.

With the separation necessary during COVID-19, it seems like anything we can do to help each other feel connected and loved is worth it. It might be a simple thing recording a little message, but in individual homes, in senior care facilities, and nursing homes we are hearing more and more how much people appreciate these thoughtful endeavors. In memory care units in particular, medical staff tell us Video Visits are helpful when residents see themselves on film, see family members on film, or watch any video that triggers a memory for them.

Please join us and share a memory that might be helpful and brighten someone’s day or watch these videos by typing into your web browser: bit.ly/MyVideoVisit. The playlists offer lots of choices. Don’t miss the videos from high school and college students around the world that helped make this initiative possible.

Make your own Video Visit

Here's how to get involved if you are interested in volunteering to create a Video Visit of your own:

1. Record a video on your phone (horizontal position)
2. Then from your phone, open a web browser and go to generus.net and click “VideoVisit"
3. There is a link that says To Share: “CLICK HERE”
4. Then you just select your video and that’s it.

If you do not have a phone with video available, you can also email us at contact@generus.net and we can schedule a call over Zoom to record your video.

We hope to hear from you soon!