SENIORS

The pandemic has created a mental health crisis. There’s been a surge in the need for therapy sessions. And now that more people are facing a diagnosis for the first time, it’s sparking a feeling of defeat that psychologists are noticing among specific groups who catch COVID.

Food insecurity continues to be a growing and important issue across Houston. The pandemic has shined a light on some of the most vulnerable areas in the community.

Data being compiled by the University of Chicago Crime Lab and shared with the Tribune suggests that the perception that violence in Chicago is as bad now as it has been in years is fair. The lab’s analysis of Chicago Police Department information shows that the pain and harm caused by a crime spike that began in 2020 is more acute in some of Chicago’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.

Reliant is teaming up with <i>Rebuilding Together Houston</i> to help seniors stay cool this summer.

HOUSTON – More than 50% of the state’s senior citizens have now been vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to Gov. Greg Abbott. Ahead of schedule, Texas now has given vaccine shots to more than 50% of seniors. — Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 8, 2021In a number of tweets, Abbott also updated the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate, saying we’re down to 7.9%, the lowest in five months. Covid hospitalizations declined again todayThe positivity rate is the lowest since late September & has been on a downward trajectory for months.

HOUSTON – With thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccines set to be distributed across Texas next week, the state is asking providers to put an emphasis on people 75 and older. “It doesn’t really change the eligibility, but this is a priority among the priority groups,” Van Deusen said. The East Alief clinic on West Sam Houston Parkway is set to receive 400 doses next week. “Our staff is calling the patients, reaching out to their family members and just informing them of when we get the doses.”AdShe said there’s a reason for focusing on older patients first. About two-thirds of the doses it receives will go to the Area Agency on Aging, which works with seniors.

HOUSTON – If you’re thinking of adding a new puppy to your family, it’s important to consider what dog breed best fits your lifestyle. Each dog is different, but there are general and somewhat predictable personality traits associated with specific dog breeds,” said Bennett, the puppy expert who trained our beloved Tex. According to Bennett, is important that you ask yourself a series of important questions before bringing a new dog into your family unit. Are you physically able to provide the necessary exercise for a high energy dog? Talk to professional dog trainers who will be able to discuss the challenges of particular breeds,” she recommended.

Distributing the COVID-19 vaccine to seniors across U.S. Demand for the coronavirus vaccine is high across the United States, especially for seniors. Lana Zak spoke with former Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson, who is CEO of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, about the push to get seniors vaccinated.

Sue and Sue. Sue Larsen opened her home to Sue Ronnenkamp, who pays $900 a month in rent and gets her own room and access to the rest of the home. “Randall was really strong and positive about making me feel welcome,” said Mary Ozanic, a home renter. Companies such as Silvernest and Senior Home Shares match seniors who want to stay in their homes with people who need a home. “It gives you a really good, clear picture of values and attitudes,” said Sue Larsen, a homeowner.

The VYPE Media team traveled out to the John Cooper School to celebrate Senior Night with the Girl's Soccer Team! It was an exciting night as the Seniors were honored before the game. Check out our highlight video and photo gallery from the game!

A senior care facility is making sure its residents and caregivers are still having fun during the pandemic. Robert Speker is an activities coordinator at a senior home in England that's been locked down for four months. He says its residents and caregivers have spent the time recreating classic album covers. Resident Shelia Solomons recreated one of Elvis Presleys album covers. One woman even worse a nursing outfit to recreate one of Blink 182s album covers.

With graduating ceremonies beginning June 17, many Katy ISD seniors who have enlisted in the military will miss the long-awaited day due to event postponements as a result of the coronavirus. In order to recognize these brave students, Katy ISD created a special graduation video honoring its class of 2020 military enlistees for their high school achievements and decision to serve the nation. Katy ISD reports more than 80 of its graduating seniors have enlisted in the military, with the majority joining the Army or Marine Corps. Click here to view the full list of students and what branch they’ve enlisted in.

More than 600 graduating seniors were gifted a professional portrait from Klein ISD at a drive-thru photoshoot over the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, students pulled up to DeMontrond Collision where photographers and photoshoot areas were set up for them to take senior portraits. “I am so grateful for this generous donation from DeMontrond Collision for our graduating seniors,” Klein ISD Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown said. “Their commitment to celebrating the Class of 2020’s accomplishments in an incredible opportunity for our students and families to make new memories.”Officials for Klein ISD described the two-day event as a safe way to honor its graduates and their accomplishments. Students were required to sign up in advance for their photoshoot time slot.

GALVESTON, Texas – The 2020 Senior class at Galveston Ball High School was honored Wednesday with a parade along the Seawall. Students and their parents lined the Galveston Seawall, which was decked out in their purple and gold as a parade of vehicles filled with high school and district officials honking and waving. We feel very special,” said senior Xavier Esquivel. It wasn’t quite what students had pictured when the school year started but it will be a memory they said they will never forget. School officials said they plan to hold a graduation ceremony on June 11.

HOUSTON – Calling all proud families, classmates and teachers — KPRC 2 and Kroger want to recognize your high school senior. Help us celebrate the class of 2020 and your soon-to-be graduate with KPRC 2′s Senior Yearbook! In May, viewers had the opportunity to snap a photo of their high school students with one of our Kroger Senior Yearbook signs. This was perfect for any high school graduation party! Meet the winner of KPRC 2’s Senior Yearbook ContestView our gallery belowCongrats seniors!

HOUSTON – Everyone looks forward the to the end of their senior year in high school: graduation, a fancy senior prom, and the final memories with friends and classmates. Students in the class of 2020 had an abrupt end to their final year of high school, but that hasn’t stopped these bright kids from staying positive, appreciative and optimistic about the future. Watch what a few local seniors has to to say about some of their favorite memories from their last year in high school.

HOUSTON – The Houston Christian high school senior class is stepping up to take care of healthcare workers at Memorial Hermann’s Memorial City Hospital. The seniors donated about $3,000 of their graduation funds to help provide 150 free lunches. Allen Tseng, chief operating officer for Memorial Hermann’s Memorial City Hospital, said the gesture goes a long way. The Houston Christian high school senior class isn’t just stepping up to help healthcare workers though. They plan to donate $10,000 to the Houston Food Bank on Friday to help families in need.

With kids out of school, you can encourage them to help Houston-area seniors in need while practicing social distancing as a way to volunteer their time and to relieve their boredom at home. Here are five ways you can encourage your kids to help out:Create a gift basket. Kids can help out by picking up trash from the grass, picking out weeds, and planting beautiful flowers to keep seniors’ yards clean and pretty for the spring season. Seniors and parents should ensure that the yardwork is okay to be performed by the kids before starting. Kids can interview a senior by asking questions about their youth, and about any events they may have lived through.

HOUSTON – We want to tell you about a way you can help local seniors in need. Many in our area are home-bound and can’t travel to the grocery store for food and essentials. Next time you are shopping for groceries at Kroger, buy a few extra items that you can donate. Items they need include bottled water, non-perishable foods and cleaning products. Contact Gallery Furniture for more information, including how you can request a care package for a senior or disabled citizen.

The fastest-growing age group of workers is 65 and older. It's best for seniors to have a plan before making the leap from full-time employee to part-time retiree. Jill Schlesinger reports.