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Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Keeping in touch with family and friends is meaningful and thoughtful no matter if you’re near or far, in-person or online. It’s especially important to check in with seniors for their safety and mental health. Feelings of senior isolation and loneliness can lead to depression, especially during quarantine and stay-at-home orders for seniors. It doesn’t take much time or effort to brighten their day with a smile and hello in any shape or form.
From parents, grandparents, and elderly neighbors to friends and family in other cities and states, here are a few ways to connect with others when you can’t be together in person.
Phone calls.Give their landline or cell phone a call. Schedule a phone date or call during a time you know they’ll be home and available to chat. |
Videos calls, including FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom.Not all seniors have a smartphone or are comfortable with maneuvering technology. Make the first move and call them first. Schedule a time so they can plan ahead and feel settled and comfortable. Spontaneous video calls may catch some off-guard, so be respectful of time and space. |
Recorded video messages.Several apps offer “record now, watch later” feature. Marco Polo is a popular and simple app to record a video message and send to connections to watch, and rewatch, on their own time. |
Letters and post cards.Nothing beats a surprise note in the mailbox. Use old stationary or note cards to take pen to paper with a handwritten message. Or type and print a longer letter to share a personal update, favorite memory, or story. Bonus: add a few printed pictures in the envelope. |