Ways to Stay Connected to Seniors
Nothing replaces hugging your loved one. FaceTime isn’t the same as a kiss on the cheek. A phone call can’t compete with the touch of a hand. But we can’t put our elderly loved ones at risk of getting COVID-19. So how can we make the holidays special from a physical distance?
Even though you can’t be there in person, you can call or do video calls. Play checkers or bingo over Zoom or use Google Hangouts for a sing-a-long. Start a virtual book club. Discuss the book and have a glass of wine.
For younger kids, the app Caribu lets grandparents read books to their grandkids as they follow along on a device. They also can color and draw together.
Everyone loves to get mail — that isn’t a bill or solicitation. Send a letter, a card or a small gift so your loved one knows you care.
If your loved one has a smartphone or tablet, you could share links for virtual tours. After you both have done a tour, you can discuss what you saw and learned. Many of the most popular tourist destinations in the world now offer virtual tours. Here are a few ideas:
- Machu Picchu, Andes Mountains, Peru
- The Louvre Museum, Paris
- Georgia Aquarium, Georgia
- The British Museum, London
- The Vatican, Rome
Gift Ideas
- Newspaper and magazine subscriptions (infection control prohibits sharing publications)
- Gift certificates for salon services, coffee and gift shops
- Grow kits: flowers, chia pets, herbs and spices
- Make your own greeting card kits or boxed greeting cards and stamps
- Arts and craft kits such as jewelry making or painting
- Jigsaw puzzles: Companies such as Shutterfly can create puzzles using your photos
- Handheld electronic games: slot machine, poker, Yahtzee or solitaire
- Crossword puzzles, sudoku, word finds and adult coloring books with colored pencils and markers
- Books by a favorite author
- Daily devotional with inspirational quotes and prayers
- Music or audiobooks
- Tablet or smartphone
- Framed family photos, albums or digital photo frames