Moms face so many challenges. From keeping household finances in order and ensuring their children’s education needs are met — things can be tricky. This is especially true if you have a parent living in a seniors residence.
The pandemic has made it extra challenging to visit seniors. While this isn’t done without good reason, it’s not an exaggeration to say that seniors are now feeling more isolated than ever before, and that has led to some negative mental side effects. Isolation can lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety, and in older adults, this can contribute to memory loss. Until the danger of the pandemic passes, it’s important for children of seniors to help them stay in touch with friends and family. If there’s an older adult in your life that needs your help staying in touch with others, here are a few tips to get you started:
Tips To Follow For Seniors To Stay In Touch During Pandemic
Be An Email Pen Pal
Until face-to-face meetings become safe once again, sending frequent emails is one of the easiest ways to stay in touch. It’s not too far of a leap from letter-writing, which most older adults are probably already familiar with, and unlike a phone call, you don’t need to worry about missing their message and having to play phone tag.
If they’re not tech-savvy, there are ways to get around this. For example, if they live in a seniors’ community, there may be classes or one-on-one support on how to use technology. Age in place living comes with support, and many such residences teach technology to seniors in a way that isn’t overwhelming, that builds on concepts that they are already familiar with, and gives older adults plenty of time to ask questions. Once they become proficient enough to send an email, other ways to keep in touch through technology may also open up to them.
Keep In Touch Over Zoom
Zoom offers plenty of ways to stave off isolation and loneliness that just cannot be done through emails and phone calls. Zoom doesn’t just offer the obvious benefit of being able to see each other’s faces and speak to each other in real-time. Zoom has also allowed seniors to continue joining in on group activities like fitness classes, book club meetings, and religious ceremonies. Not only does this help seniors to stay connected, but it also ensures a minimum amount of disruption to their routine, which can help with preventing memory loss.
If they’re tech-savvy enough to use the Internet, older adults will find plenty of guides online that will teach them how to use Zoom step-by-step. If you’re taking up this task yourself, be sure to take things slowly. Instead of expecting them to learn everything about Zoom in one day, teach them in small steps over the course of a week or two.
You may need to spend the first day teaching them how to download and open Zoom before they’re comfortable enough to do it without your help. Learning how to use technology can be overwhelming for someone completely unfamiliar with it, so be sure to teach at their pace.
Play Games Online
Playing games online is not only a great way for seniors to break up the monotony of the day, but it’s also a great way to keep them mentally active. Games like chess and cards can be easily played online, and the strategic play involved in these types of games helps to keep seniors mentally fit. Many of them also have a built-in chat feature, allowing them to communicate and connect with others during the game.
Moms lead a busy life, there’s no doubt about it. If your family includes a senior, hopefully, these tips will help you stay in touch and connect to your loved one.
