FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Steve Mullen
EndGame Public Relations for Family Lifeline
(804) 382-0017
steve@endgamepr.com

Don't Forget the Elderly While Decking the Halls
Family Lifeline Offers Tips to Ensure Elderly Relatives and Friends Enjoy the Holidays

Richmond, Virginia (December 7, 2006) - This time of year it seems everyone is rushing around making sure last minute details are prepared for the holidays. While it can be easy to overlook including elderly relatives in the festivities, this is the time of year when it's most important to be sure they are included.

"It's not usually intentional but, in the holiday rush, many of the elderly in the community are forgotten," said Jennifer Kaufman, Senior Vice President of Family Lifeline's Family Care programs.

Mrs. Kaufman says isolation, particularly around the holidays, can lead to depression, which can lead to other problems in even the healthiest person. To help, she's providing a list of tips on how we can make sure our elderly relatives are remembered during this season.

*Make sure you invite elderly relatives to your holiday parties, and provide them with transportation to and from the event. If they won't know many people at the party, suggest they bring along a friend.

*Send them a holiday card or, if they have email, an e-card for each of the 12 days of Christmas.

*Take an elderly relative or friend out for a walk through the neighborhood or, if the weather is bad or walking is a problem, take them for a driving tour of holiday lights or to the mall to window shop.

*Help them decorate their home for the holidays.

*Take them a CD or tape of holiday music, or set their radio to a station playing holiday music.

*Help them wrap gifts or write holiday cards.

*Help them bake holiday cookies, making extra for them to give to their neighbors and friends. If you are part of a cookie exchange, include them in the exchange so they can both give and receive some holiday treats.

*If you don't have any elderly relatives living nearby, adopt an elderly neighbor and invite them to engage in a holiday activity or to join your holiday dinner.

Mrs. Kaufman is available for interviews this holiday season. To schedule a time and date, contact the number at the top of this release.

About Family Lifeline
Serving families in the Richmond area since 1877, Family Lifeline is one of city's oldest and largest private community-based organizations. Family Lifeline's mission is to strengthen families where they live, work, and learn. For more information, visit www.familylifeline.org or call 804-282-4255.

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