We are living in unprecedented times. To protect elderly loved ones, we must encourage them to stay home and keep a physical distance. However, most of our seniors do not occupy their time with child care, working from home, and the latest TikTok dance. They need activities to keep them entertained and active during this time of isolation.
1. Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime: These are all great ways for seniors to connect with their families. Virtual calls don’t have to be boring. Play a card game or watch a movie together while you’re on a call. That way, it feels more like you are hanging out with your loved one as opposed to just talking. This will feel more like activity and help the time pass more quickly for you and your loved ones.
2. Read a Book: We often feel like we don’t have enough time to read. Now that life has slowed down, dive into your must-read list! Whether you start checking off all the books you’ve wanted to read for a while or start reading one of your favorites to brighten your mood, reading is a great and safe activity to pass the time.
3. Visit a Museum (virtually, of course): Famous museums all over the world are offering virtual tours for people to experience art and artifacts from home. While seeing the museum virtually may not be the same, this is still a great option to learn and experience a museum you’ve always wanted to visit. Check out these free 12 museum tours online!
4. Take a Class: Many universities, including Harvard, are offering free online courses in a variety of subjects. If you love to learn, this is the perfect quarantine activity for you. They offer classes on topics ranging from opera, Shakespeare, religion, and ancient Egyptian archaeology. Is there a subject or event you’ve always found interesting? Now is the perfect time to learn more.
5. Get Cooking: Quarantine is the perfect time to use or expand on your culinary skills. Break out your cookbooks, magazines, and family recipes. Food is comforting in times like these, and it’s important to accomplish something every day to maintain a sense of normalcy. Has it been ages since you’ve made your mom’s chocolate chip cookies or baked a loaf of bread? Now is the time. This is a great activity to share with any loved ones in your home. It’s also something you can easily do with family and friends virtually over Zoom, Skype, or Facetime, as each of you can cook the same recipe and share the meal you made together.
6. Meditate: This is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. You’re never too old to learn a new skill! If you’ve never meditated before, this is the perfect time to start. You can do this anywhere, your bed, couch, floor, or outside in your backyard. Set time aside in your day, whether it is five minutes or an hour, to focus on your breathing and relax. We’re all feeling stressed from daily uncertainty; meditation is a great way to cope.
