Seniors are some of the most vulnerable to the effects of the COVID-19 virus, so most people across the world have taken steps to protect the older generations from exposure as much as possible.

Part of keeping seniors safe means drastically reducing or completely eliminating physical visitations with family members and friends. Unfortunately, communication and visitation with family and friends are a positive part of a senior person’s quality of life. Taking that away can decrease morale during this period of uncertainty. Fortunately, families and senior care providers can do a few things to maintain these interactions and keep morale up.

Take a look at these ideas for helping seniors stay connected:

Set Up Video Calling on Digital Devices

Seniors can easily use FaceTime on iOS devices or the video-calling features of Facebook Messenger, Amazon Alexa, Skype and Google Duo on Android and other devices to stay connected with loved ones in a visual way. All that they need is for someone to set it up and show them which buttons to push.

With video calling capabilities, seniors can do a lot of face-to-face activities with their families. For instance, grandparents can read children’s books to young grandkids. Plus, these books don’t have to be physical. They can be ordered digitally so they don’t have to risk their health by going out to a store.

Another activity to do during video calls is watch TV shows together on Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney+ and the many other streaming services available. Similarly, singing familiar songs together is a great activity for seniors especially those who suffer from memory problems. The familiar tunes could bring back fond memories.

Seniors and families can even play board games over video calls. Chess, Monopoly, Candyland, and Chutes and Ladders are some classics. Bingo is particularly easy to play via video call. However, you could also play over the phone by turning on the speaker and narrating your actions.

Yet another option is sharing virtual meals. Just call to talk while you eat together!

Send Hand-Written Letters and Care Packages

While many seniors understand how to use technology, some of them don’t and get overwhelmed by it. In these cases, you can stay in touch through traditional hand-written letters or cards. Your loved one can re-read the letters and display them as a reminder of how much you care and are thinking about them.

Along with letters, you can send care packages with simple meals and snacks that he or she loves. Put together a hobby box with items related to his or her existing hobbies or hobbies that your loved one wants to try. Crossword puzzles, coloring books with colored pencils and even toys are great ideas to keep their hands busy. You could order a personalized jigsaw puzzle with a family photo on it too, and be sure to call on the phone often.

Continue to Provide Care for Your Loved One

At Caring Home Care, our in-home caregivers are dedicated to keeping your loved one safe and healthy during this pandemic. They can help keep your loved one’s morale up with in-home activities, and can even work with you to schedule virtual visits on Facebook, Skype, or whatever video app you prefer if your loved one needs help managing the technology.