These are unprecedented times. With Covid-19 lockdowns and seniors unable to go out and socialize, many of our seniors are feeling more isolated than ever before. Caregivers and family members are currently overwhelmed with the task of helping seniors to thrive during this social isolation.

There are many great ways to helping seniors connect with friends and family during social isolation. Helping seniors to connect via online social platforms is one great way to help them feel more connected. If they don’t already have social network accounts, caregivers and family members can help them to set one up quickly and easily.

Statistics show that the more connected people are to others, the more relaxed, safe and healthy they feel during isolation. It’s fairly easy to set up a simple social media account and work with seniors for an hour or so daily to help them stay connected with friends and family. For seniors, social contact with their grandchildren is a vital source of enrichment, and a part of healthy living.

Another great idea is to write cards or short letters to friends and family. Stay connected with grandchildren via email or snail mail and keep the ties that bind a family together firmly knotted. Grandchildren will love getting a letter from grandma and grandpa will enjoy drawings from younger grandchildren and simple letters from the older ones. Thanks to email programs it’s easier than ever before. Even if grandma doesn’t have a computer or an email account, this can be done by snail mail.

Skype and zoom are two other ways that seniors can stay connected. Again, it may take a caregiver or family member to help them get connected but the payoff is that seniors will feel connected and enjoy a phone call from a friend or family member. All it takes is a computer or cell phone to accomplish this task. Even if grandparents or seniors don’t have a computer or cell phone, caregivers or family members can help by allowing them to use their devices periodically.  Other ideas are social associations that help seniors socialize while maintaining social distancing rules.

With such unprecedented times, many seniors aren’t able to congregate with their social peers. However, that doesn’t mean that they have to sit home all alone. Interacting with others via the phone, or other means will go far in helping them to feel important.

Consider caregiver services for seniors who have no one nearby in the family to help them feel connected and needed. A caregiver can come in once or more weekly and help them with simple tasks or simply add some companionship to their day. Caregivers can engage seniors in games, puzzles, or simply sit and visit with seniors.

As seniors are spending more time at home, it is more vital than ever before to install the necessary safety equipment. Items such as a blood pressure monitor, bathroom safety equipment and an emergency alert system are just some of the equipment that can make a huge difference to seniors isolated at home. In fact, according to Trinity Home Medical Supplies, there has been an increase in demand on home medical equipment in general to ensure the well-being and safety of the elderly during this time.

Many seniors centers are functioning on a delivery basis as well. They deliver healthy meals to seniors who qualify and thus the seniors have a bit of interaction with someone once or more weekly. Senior centers offer a myriad of benefits and take great care in ensuring that all safety and health precautions are met for the delivery of senior meals.

Other ideas may be to have family members who are healthy visit periodically during the week or month to ensure that seniors needs are being met. Social isolation is affecting everyone these days but it can be worked around with a bit of ingenuity.