Medical students offer connection and companionship to local seniors
By Emily Leighton
Greeted by pink tablecloths, flowers and dozens of nail polish bottles, seniors at Fox Hollow Retirement Residence in northwest London, Ont. gather for a special treat.
It’s a sunny weekday morning in early April and medical students are on-hand to pamper them, offering manicures, makeup, basic skin care and bracelet-making.
“It’s lovely to spend a few minutes with somebody, to hopefully make their day better and put a smile on their face,” said Kerry Hu, a second-year medical student.
As colours are chosen and nails painted, it's the companionship that stands out. Voices fill the room, and conversations quickly drift from polite introductions to friendly banter.
“This really cheered me up,” said Sophie Dumanski, a resident at Fox Hollow. “It’s so nice the students want to come out and mix with us elderly people.”
The medical students are part of GlamourGals, a non-profit organization that empowers intergenerational connections through complimentary beauty care and makeovers.
“It’s a special way for us to connect with the London community and give back,” said Hu, who leads the local chapter at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry.
A 2023 report from the National Institute on Ageing found 58 per cent of Canadians aged 50 and older have experienced loneliness and as many as 41 per cent are at risk of social isolation.
“With older persons making up a rapidly growing proportion of Canada’s population, the number of isolated or lonely Canadians is expected to significantly increase, meaning that both the individual and societal consequences of loneliness and social isolation will likely also become severe,” reads the report.
For Hu, understanding this issue is particularly important for future physicians, who will be caring for older adults regardless of the specialty they pursue.
“It’s so important that we learn how to build connections and rapport with older generations,” she said. “In practice, we won’t have this much time to spend with patients, but I’m learning so much about the value of communication and building trust.”
Hu was born in China and grew up close with her grandparents, who helped raise her as a young child.
“In China, it’s common to see two or three generations living together,” she said. “As people age, the loss of independence doesn’t seem to be as significant or isolating as it is here in North America.”
Hu picked up nail artistry as a hobby and creative outlet during the pandemic, spending months perfecting the intricate techniques.
It’s another aspect of GlamourGals that inspired her to launch the local chapter.
“Self-care activities are sometimes dismissed as fluffy or trivial, but they can mean so much to individuals,” she said. “They help us feel good about ourselves and contribute to our sense of self. It’s important to support these activities that help our seniors age with dignity.”
The group hosted its first event at Fox Hollow in February for Valentine’s Day. They plan to continue with monthly pampering sessions and welcome Western students interested in volunteering to join.
“It’s fun to paint nails, but it’s really about the time spent in connection, sharing experiences and stories,” said Hu. "The seniors I’ve met have given me so much joy.”
