Ideas To Help Seniors In Isolation Maintain A Good Quality Of Life And Find Moments Of Joy

Blog  |  April 16, 2020

The seniors in your life need your help to maintain a good quality of life while in isolation.

As we continue to keep our homes and families safe during this COVID-19 outbreak, it’s important to consider the needs of the seniors in our lives and in our communities. Provincial and local health agencies are taking steps to keep seniors physically protected from the virus. These steps have included directing everyone and especially those 65 and older to stay home and the closing of non-essential services. Keeping our seniors physically safe is only part of keeping them well while they are in isolation. 

Many families are searching for guidance and solutions to ensure their loved ones are best-taken care of. Isolation can take a toll on a senior’s mental and physical health. It’s important to remember that there are things we can all do to foster connection, hope, purpose, and support for seniors during this difficult time. Families, caregivers and health professionals should work with seniors to make a plan that allows them to take part in activities they love. With support, seniors can follow self-isolation recommendations and maintain positive mental health.

Here are some examples of what to consider when making an isolation wellness plan with the seniors in your life.

• Ensuring basic needs are met. Caregivers, loved ones, and volunteers considered low risk (those under 65 without preexisting medical conditions) can help seniors by running errands. Things the seniors in your life might need include:

• delivery of groceries and personal care items
• assistance in picking up prescriptions
• help with online ordering
• taking care of other tasks outside of the home.

With self-isolation guidelines in place, seniors should remember that there are people willing to help them stay safe.

• Connecting with others whenever possible. Spending time with loved ones doesn’t have to happen in-person to be meaningful. Video calls, Facetime, texts or emails, and letter writing can help seniors stay in touch with loved ones when they can’t be together. Get the whole family in on connecting with senior family members.

• Enjoying the things they love. Life doesn’t stop when staying at home. Talk to your senior about what they enjoy. Uncovering old favourites can lead to new memories! Things like an at-home spelling bee, a spirited game of cards, or a renewed love of art are easily facilitated. For any activity and hobby, there’s a virtual version available. For those that love art, museums are offering online tours for those that can’t visit. There are a host of music options available on streaming services; singing and dancing are just as fun in the living room! Likewise, podcasts on any topic can be streamed on a phone, website or through a virtual assistant.

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise in isolation is important for seniors. 

• Get some exercise. It’s important for seniors to keep moving. Ensuring a senior’s range of motion is still intact through daily stretching or yoga is a great way to keep moving. Keep moving by getting steps in when you can or turn up the tunes and have a dance party in the living room! Lifting light weights at home can help keep muscles strong when getting out of the house may not be an option. Many gyms and fitness professionals are offering free virtual workouts to do at home, for those that have permission from their physician to exercise.

• Maintain a healthy diet. When we spend a lot of time at home it’s easy to overeat. It’s important to keep in mind healthy options when snacking. Avoid too many salty or sweet snacks. And, when meal prepping remember the food pyramid – fruit, veggies, calcium, grain, and proteins.

• It’s a great time for spring cleaning! Keeping up with daily household cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in the home is a recommended step to avoiding Coronavirus. This is also a good time to consider a larger spring-cleaning project. Seniors can make housework fun by playing upbeat music or using the time to look at photos and mementos with loved ones. Housework is a wonderful way to keep moving!

Help the seniors in your life find moments of joy. 

• Spring serves up holidays that are pure fun. Seniors and their loved ones should make it a point to celebrate occasions like Mother’s Day, Easter, Passover, and the first day of spring. Whether it’s making a special meal, dressing up or sending cards to loved ones, holidays offer lots of opportunities for connection – even when families aren’t together.

• Find joy in everyday activities. Take time to enjoy the small things – card games, baking projects, a good cup of coffee, a phone call with a friend, or eating your favourite food.

For those in need of a little extra help at home, Comfort Keepers Peterborough can help.

There are always opportunities for meaningful moments and joyful days with a little planning, conversation and intentional action. Our professional caregivers are well-trained and have the right protective equipment to provide loving and safe in-home care. Find out more about our uplifting in-home care services by visiting our website or calling us at (705) 243-4042. 

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