The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has completely changed the way we look at the world. Ironically, the safest way out right now is to not step out. It has been difficult for everyone with kids unable to attend school and adults having to work from home. But, what about the senior citizens? Like children and adults, they also have their own set of problems to deal with such as boredom and loneliness. As the caregiver of a loved one, there’s only so much you can do to keep seniors engaged at home for months on end.
To make things easier for you and your loved ones, here are some tips on how you can keep them engaged at home; amidst this raging pandemic-
Exercising & Yoga
Struggling to remain active at home during this period of quarantine is an issue faced by people of all age groups, seniors included. So, in order to ensure that they get some exercise regularly, you can turn it into a fun family activity. Set a fixed time for each day, put on some music and groove to the beats! You can even add a mix of zumba dance to the exercise and yoga for added fun.
Staying Connected To Friends & Family
It is highly recommended that seniors should not step out of their homes, let alone travel. So it is obviously not possible for them to meet their near and dear ones. This could have a psychological impact as being away from children or grandchildren for so long is tough on them. Thanks to platforms such as Skype, Google Duo, WhatsApp, etc, you can video call anyone from anywhere as long as both parties have an internet connection. You can add multiple people to the same call and have a virtual meet up. Awesome, isn’t it?
Playing Board Games
Another fun activity where the whole family can take part together are board games. Games such as Scrabble, Ludo, Checkers can be played by people of all age groups. The same goes for other stuff such as card games and Uno. You can also try games such as Chess and Monopoly which require active thinking along with strategy.
Taking Up A New Hobby
Think of this quarantine as a blessing in disguise and do something that you’ve always wanted to do but never got around to it. Learn that instrument you wanted to learn as a kid, brighten up your garden with colourful flowers or pick up a paintbrush and get artistic! The possibilities are endless here and much of it can be done at home so it’s a win-win.
Embrace The Power Of Internet
Did you know that you can travel to any place on this planet right from where you’re reading this? So if your loved one is a travel enthusiast, make sure to check out Google Earth. But what if your loved one is having a bad day and you want to lighten the mood with some comedy? Simply subscribe to any OTT platform such as Netflix or Prime Video and watch all you can! What if they prefer reading books instead, you might ask? Gift them a Kindle and there will be no need to step outside to borrow from the public library. With modern technology, the possibilities have expanded so much.
While these activities will keep your loved ones engaged, the family caregiver should also never feel isolated. How can you keep your loved ones engaged when your mind is wandering somewhere else? If you feel like you need to talk to someone; do look out for caregiver coaching and support.