Isolation ends for some seniors

The Dreamweaver Foundation has provided 300 free Facebook Portals to seniors in nursing homes in Nebraska and Iowa. Grateful reactions have ranged from "tears of joy" to an overwhelming sense of relief. Most seniors who received a portal were connected to loved ones for the first time in months.

The Omaha, Nebraska-based nonprofit usually grants wishes to seniors, like hot-air balloon rides, but that stopped when the pandemic hit. According to Dreamweaver Foundation executive director Cheri Mastny, "With a portal, the buttons are super large so it's very easy to touch and use. It has a big speaker in the back, so the sound is much better for someone who is hard of hearing."