How to Stay Connected with Seniors During COVID-19

How should you stay connected with seniors during COVID-19? At this time of the pandemic, the society at large is severely affected. However, they are a particular segment of the population that is vulnerable. To avoid the spread of infections, everyone must follow social distancing measures. This is, somehow, unfavorable to seniors as they may feel lonely and isolated.

Thankfully, the availability of information and communications technology makes it a lot easier to continue to stay connected with our senior loved ones! Gadgets like smartphones and other handheld mobile devices, coupled with applications that are easy and fun to use, can help seniors and families communicate in many different ways:

Video Calls

FaceTime, Facebook, Snapchat, Viber, Skype, Zoom, and many other applications offer families and friends the opportunity to have meaningful conversations in real-time. Seeing loved ones onscreen can make seniors avoid the feeling of loneliness and isolation.

Recordings

Another way to stay connected with seniors during COVID-19 is by recording video messages, sending photo collages, and the likes so they can enjoy watching, listening, or looking at them any time they like.

Online Entertainment and Recreational Activities

Books, movies, online concerts, music videos, interactive games, and many other options are available in the virtual world. Even if families are apart, they can do these activities together.

Online Communities

All sorts of social and civic clubs (books, movies, music, sports, entertainment, etc.), support groups, learning groups, interest groups, advocacy groups, spiritual and religious groups, and many others are also available even on the Internet. Aside from family and friends, seniors will never run out of people and groups to connect with.

In the absence of the usual physical visitation, it might be good to engage the seniors in ways they are more familiar with. Telephone calls are easier with smartphones. Families and relatives can write letters and send postcards through snail mail. Likewise, create memories with video calls. Take screenshots and send them to your senior loved ones. In the case of limited mobility, the in-home caregiver providing senior care services can offer help.