Us humans are social creatures, so how are we to stay connected during a pandemic when visiting in person isn’t an option? How are we to maintain a supportive relationship with our senior family members and friends during this time?
For quite a few people, video calling has been the solution. Using programs such as Zoom, Facetime, or Google Hangouts, virtual gatherings can occur; an excellent way not only to converse but lay eyes on loved ones to assess their stress level during these trying times. Visit https://www.aarp.org/ for an explanation of video calling on a variety of platforms.
If your senior enjoys pictures of the family, mail them a letter with photos! Or purchase them a digital picture frame such as one from “Skylight Frames” which can be updated remotely from your computer with new photos.
Online “Silver Sneakers” classes offer a variety of exercise classes for older adults, and there are many options online for virtually visiting museums such as MOMA, and closer to home, our fantastic Bennington Museum’s “Tour at Ten” online program. Team up with your favorite senior to participate in one of these options from the comfort of your home.
The meager phone call has risen to superhero status these days. The connective tonic it offers to isolated seniors cannot be overstated. Pick up your phone, call a loved one. When you hang up, call one more person on your Rolodex list, if you don’t have a senior to call, volunteer for Institute on Aging’s ”Friendship Line” by calling 415-750-4111.
Speaking of phone calls, Teepa Snow, a leader in dementia care, offers this suggestion. While on the phone with your senior, encourage them to pull out something that you know is in their home: hand lotion, a hairbrush, nail polish- while on the line, guide your loved one to do the activity associated with the object. Another version of this together technique could be cooking a recipe, completing a puzzle, setting up a weather station, or watching a movie.
Are you and your loved one avid readers? If each of you purchases the same book, you can enjoy your time reading it together. The same applies for learning a new skill in tandem, such as knitting, drawing, learning a new song, or caring for a houseplant.