New Radio Program Geared Toward Combating Isolation Among Senior Citizens

This Is Reno reports that a new, weekly radio program catering to Reno, Nev.'s senior community was launched in October on radio station KWNK. The Bluebird Radio Hour airs live every week at 10 a.m., and is rebroadcast Saturdays at 3 p.m. Those lacking radios can stream the program live by visiting the station's website. The program was organized by people associated with the nonprofit Note-Able Music Therapy Services (NMTS), which has worked in the Reno senior community to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing through music. It also is associated with the Note-Ables, a band of players with different disabilities, who have been performing locally for 15 years. Bluebird Radio Hour's creators hope it will help relieve some of the isolation that seniors have endured during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show is co-hosted by NMTS' Nate Eng and Sharon Hickox, who said their goal was to create a local riff on programs like "A Prairie Home Companion." Content includes local history and profiles, musical performances, singalongs, and guided relaxation and meditation sessions.