Maintaining Human Connection During the Coronavirus Pandemic

5 Ideas to Stay Socially Connected

For the health and safety of all Americans, health experts and government officials have asked that we battle COVID-19 by staying at least six feet away from others, self-quarantine ourselves if we have a cough or a fever, and not to gather in larger groups. This social distancing is an important part of curbing the spread of the coronavirus and slowing the demand and need for medical equipment and care that doctors are growing increasingly short on.

“For seniors who already struggle with feelings of isolation and lack of social connection,  this added isolation can be a hard pill to swallow.”

While social distancing measures are not a permanent part of our lives, it may be very difficult for some to adjust to the feelings of disconnect from others. For seniors who already struggle with feelings of isolation and lack of social connection because of health issues, lack of mobility, or a large distance between family members, this added isolation can be a hard pill to swallow. 

Fortunately, social distancing does not mean social isolation, it just means that we need to be more creative with our social worlds. Seniors can stay safe and alleviate health risks while still gaining the benefits that socializing can provide.

“Fortunately, social distancing does not mean social isolation, it just means that we need to be more creative with our social worlds.”

Here are 5 ways that seniors can stay social during the time of “social distancing” and continue to enjoy the benefits of normal human connection.

1. Use Social Media and Online Messengers – Group chats on messengers or using social media to share feelings, ask questions, and stay connected can help reduce feelings of aloneness. One group on Facebook is helping people stay connected and drive a sense of community by members from around the world sharing photos of rainbows within the group. The members are creating rainbow art and displaying it in their windows, having their kids draw rainbows on the sidewalk, and sharing their unique rainbow art in the group. This is a great way to feel connected and involved – especially for those that particularly enjoy art and/or developing a sense of camaraderie. 
2. Digital Classes/Events/Activities – The internet is amazing because there is SO MUCH available to everyone. Seniors that enjoy learning something new can attend online classes. There are even fun events like virtual tours of museums that people can participate in online. 
3. Video Coffee/Dinner Dates – Don’t skip out on your Sunday coffee date with your girlfriends. Use a phone or laptop and enjoy your coffee experience from the comfort (and safety) of our kitchen. Not only is the experience going to be less expensive, it is also going to be more comfortable and convenient. 
4. Get on The Phone – Remember when people used to spend time on the phone having full conversations with friends and family members? Seniors can enjoy nostalgic moments while talking on the phone to family, wherever they may be. Many more people are at home with time to connect now – take advantage of it. 
5. Take it to the Neighborhood – You don’t have to violate social distancing requests to connect with others in your own neighborhood. People in Italy have been playing music together from the safety of their own patios and others have connected with neighbors by creating distance games from their sidewalks and front yards. Display something funny in your window each day for the kids in the neighborhood to look forward to. Make signs with humorous jokes to uplift your neighbors spirits each day. Get creative. 

There are many ways that seniors can stay in touch and keep social connections alive – it may require a little bit of thinking outside of the box or getting creative, but the experience will be one that is remembered and treasured. It may even become a new normal that keeps you connected long past this unprecedented time of national social distancing. 

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Under Governor Carney’s modified order, businesses must also take certain steps to keep their employees and customers safe.

By 8:00 a.m. on Friday, May 1, businesses must:

• Require employees to wear a face covering while working in areas open to the public and in areas where coming within 6 feet of other staff is likely.
• Provide, at the business’ expense, face coverings and hand sanitizer for their employees.
• Deny entry to individuals who do not have a face covering – or if one is not available for them.
• If any business denying entry is providing medication, medical supplies, or food, the business must provide alternate methods of pickup or delivery.

Delawareans are urged to use cloth face coverings and reserve medical-grade masks for use by health care workers and first responders. Medical-grade masks include N95, KN95, surgical, or other masks that would be appropriate for a health care setting.
Delawareans wearing a face covering should practice strict hand-washing before and after touching the face covering, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH). Face coverings are not a replacement for washing hands, practicing physical distancing, and staying home. Delawareans who are sick should wear a face covering over their nose and mouth if they must be around other people – even while at home.

“Wearing a face covering is not a substitute for existing guidance around hand-washing and social distancing,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health. “Delawareans should stay at home whenever possible, only leaving for essential activities. Wash your hands. Keep 6-10 feet between yourself and others.”

Governor Carney’s State of Emergency has the full force and effect of law. The stay-at-home order, and mandatory quarantine for out-of-state travelers, remain in place. Violations of the emergency order, or any of its modifications, constitute a criminal offense.

Delawareans with questions about COVID-19, related to medical or social service needs, should call 2-1-1; or 7-1-1 for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. Questions may also be submitted by email at [email protected]

DPH will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. For the latest on Delaware’s response, visit: de.gov/coronavirus.

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Lisa’s 10 tips for older adults during COVID-19 include:

1. Coordinate daily check in times: a phone call or text, Skype, Facetime, Zoom, Loop, WhatsApp, & WeChat are all possibilities. A video call is best to see smiling faces and easier for those with hearing loss. Additionally, group texts are a great way to send funny pictures, videos, and continuous words of encouragement. One helpful device to stay connected is called Loop. The Loop is a portable screen that allows you to privately and securely send photos, videos and do live video chats with family and friends.
2. Exercise: Wellness devices like Fitbit, Garmin, Apple watch, and Kardia are all great tools to get moving. Arranging 10-minute group exercises, ensures loved ones are moving and keeping the blood flowing which improves brain function, reduces depression and improves the immune system. Notifications can easily be sent to your phone will help you stop worrying and provide an opportunity to nudge them to get moving.
3. Gaming: Words with Friends, Candy Crush, and Word Cross are as simple as tic-tac-toe or as interactive as building entire cities with Minecraft or experiencing a flight simulator. The internet allows us to create a watch party for favorite TV shows or movies and group texts, video chat or messages on Facebook. Video games not only help with eye hand coordination, memory and mind training but raise endorphin levels to keep the blood flowing and even create a more energized feeling.
4. Facetime or Zoom Meals: Video chat during meals! Create a virtual “family dining” experience where everyone can share their day, laugh and reconnect. Send ingredients to a family recipe beforehand, and you can virtually cook “together.”
5. Control moods: Hapbee is a wearable device and smartphone app that can make you feel happy, calm, sleepy, alert, focused, etc. with the click of a button. Also, the Human Charger introduces light therapy through ear buds to reach the photoreceptors of the brain, which can help those who may have the winter blues, sleep issues, or just want more energy and alertness.
6. Get a care free companion pet: Hasbro Joy for All companion pets are designed to bring comfort, companionship and fun for older loved ones who may not be able to get out and walk, feed, or care for a real dog or cat. These pets deliver a soothing, joyful experience that inspires smiles, laughter and fond memories.
7. Engage remote health monitoring devices: Livio AI hearing aid has fall detection and tracks body and brain health in 27 languages. Zibrio’s SmartScale measures movements that indicate risk of falling. MouthLab by Aidar Health monitors more than 10 medical parameters like temperature, respiratory rate, blood pressure, breathing patterns, heart rate, lung function, and more in 30-seconds. Essence Group Fall Detector Radar tracks a person’s position in the home, provide immediate detection of a fall, and effectively alerts healthcare providers. CarePredict assesses day to day movements including sleep, walking, eating, and more. The MedWand handheld device allows users to conduct remote office visits and uses real-time collection of vital sign readings, to accurately monitor medical conditions regardless of location. H2-BP is the world’s smallest and lightest wearable blood pressure monitor.
8. Navigating the toilet paper shortage? Luxury Class A8 Serenity Bidet Toilet Seat: replaces your normal toilet seat by adding a bidet feature that both washes and blows you dry. Plus, it’s customizable, heated, gets you to the proper height, and includes both a splash guard and a nightlight.
9. Keep the House Clean: With just the push of a button, iRobot Braava Jet 240 Robot Mop wet-and dry-mops your floors and is tiny enough to get under cabinets, beds, furniture and even around the toilet!
10. Install an automatic stove shutoff device: Stove Safety from FireAvert provides peace of mind and protection when cooking is forgotten or left unattended. It’s an easy way to prevent a possible fire and save dinner, too.

“It’s time to help our loved ones learn to use technology to move from loneliness and fear to freedom during COVID-19 and beyond. While we navigate new social norms during COVID-19, don’t forget to look out for one another and set up the right technology for our aging loved ones, friends and family.” adds Cini.

Lisa Cini is an award-winning senior living designer, President / CEO of Mosaic Design Studio and author of BOOM: The Baby Boomers Guide to Leveraging Technology, so that you can Preserve Your Independent Lifestyle & Thrive, The Future is Here: Senior Living Re-imagined, and Hive, The Simple Guide to Multigenerational Living: How Our Family Makes it Work. Go to Lisamcini.com to sign up for her blog. If you want to find the best tech products that help seniors Embrace Aging and Live Independently, visit BestLivingTech.com.

They Are Helping Me’, Organizations Reaching Out To Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic: Organizations like the South Florida YMCA adding services to support seniors in challenging environments.

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Adult coloring books have become a new, favorite trend for adults of all ages. From Harry Potter coloring pages to relaxing meditative patterns – adult coloring has made an impact on our society. Not only is adult coloring a calming therapeutic activity for adults, but the benefits of coloring for aging adults can have many social and cognitive benefits. 

Relieves Stress and Anxiety
Scott M. Bea, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist, talks about how adult coloring has everything to do with refocusing our minds. “Adult coloring requires modest attention focused outside of self-awareness. It is a simple activity that takes us outside ourselves. In the same way, cutting the lawn, knitting, or taking a Sunday drive can all be relaxing.” Seniors can use coloring therapy to control anxiety and fear. 

Improve Focus
Coloring can help deepen focus and improve attention span. Paying attention to coloring inside lines, choosing appropriate colors and coloring patterns, even choosing how much force to use of the coloring tool to the paper helps direct attention and center the mind.

Build Motor Skills
Motor skills are an important asset for seniors to maintain. Adult coloring can improve eye and hand coordination when practiced often. Unfortunately, motor skills fade as people age, but coloring is one relaxing and useful tool that can help strengthen these skills and rebuild basic motor skills and trigger forgotten ones. 

Explore Forgotten Memories
The simple act of coloring can bring back many memories for aging adults. Those memories may be of coloring as a child, taking a beloved art class during college, painting during young adulthood, or it may trigger another creative act of expression like singing, creative writing and even dancing. These forgotten memories can be treasured ones that inspire and motivate aging seniors.

Improve Attitude and Decrease Depression
Coloring is a great way to help take the mind away from negative and unhealthy thoughts and replace them with positive feelings. Dr. Joel Pearson, a brain scientist of the University of New South Wales explained to Medical Daily that “concentrating on coloring an image may facilitate the replacement of negative thoughts and images with pleasant ones.”

Rediscover the Self

At different ages, adults find themselves trying to redefine who they are, what they like, what they want to do. Reestablishing yourself after retirement and having adult children can be difficult while dealing with mental and physical health issues that may arise. Coloring pages can help seniors out of the constant battle in their minds about how they define themselves. The process allows adults to be present with their thoughts and rediscover who they are. 

Color Me Happy
The Color Me Happy event hosted by your local SYNERGY HomeCare allows adults of all ages to spend time discovering and enjoying the benefits of coloring. Aging adults may feel as if coloring is just a child’s activity, but once they realize the benefits that coloring offers to any person, they often find that the activity is fun, relaxing, and can trigger skills and memories that have been forgotten. Adult coloring is a great activity for seniors suffering from dementia and other cognitive difficulties. 

Contact your local SYNERGY HomeCare agency to locate a Color Me Happy event you can or your senior can attend. Bring a friend, color, win prizes! All coloring materials provided.

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