Virtual contact during the pandemic made many seniors feel lonelier and more depressed than no contact at all, new research has found. To make them feel less lonely, here we provide you five suggestions.
Visit regularly in limited person
If you visit an elderly parent or grandparent in person, first it’s important to the guideline on reducing the risk of spreading infection. Those precautions include washing your hands thoroughly, observing social distancing, and if you’re feeling even a little sick, cancel the visit. Also, it’s best right now not to include young children in the visit. They may lack the discipline and self-control necessary to maintain social distance from their grandparents.
Keep in contact with your senior neighbor
If you know an older person on your block whose risk may be elevated by a health condition, call them and see if they need anything when you are going to the store. Offering to shop for an elderly neighbor won’t only protect them and reduce the potential for spreading the infection, it will also help ease any anxiety they might be experiencing about running out of supplies. If you both are not at risk, visit them often, they will feel less lonely.
Watch television programs for more than news
Psychologists suggest all adults should balance time spent watching the news with other televised programs. This is even more important with seniors, who have a tendency to remember and fixate on the most negative reports.
Write letters
Although most seniors have a smartphone and/or computer, most of them still prefer to communicate the old-fashioned way. They love receiving hand-written letters. If you are planning to write them a letter, be sure to wash your hands before and after.
Set up discussion groups
Media is a great escape for seniors and many of them can exercise their minds by subsequently having engaging conversations with others about books and movies. For some variety, suggest that they listen to audiobooks or podcasts.
