As the coronavirus pandemic continues in Australia, and indeed the world, staying connected with one another has never been more important.
Social engagement with friends and family among the elderly is important for them in maintaining a healthy quality of life whilst living independently.
Unfortunately, recent outbreaks in Australia have required elderly people to do exactly the opposite – self-isolation.
As the elderly are the most at-risk group for COVID-19, staying indoors and reducing contact with others is important.
As a home care provider in Bayswater, we know that this can be disorienting for many in our amazing community.
But, the good news is, there are a number of ways that the elderly can stay connected to their friends & family during this time.
Getting Involved in Tech
We’re now in such a tech-oriented world that we’ve become so much more connected than ever before.
Whether it be apps on your phone, emailing, or browsing on the internet, there are a number of ways you can connect with family and friends online.
It’s okay for it to feel overwhelming; especially if it’s something new to you. Perhaps ask a friend or family member if they can assist you with whichever tech you’re trying to learn.
Once you’ve got a good understanding of it, it’ll open up a whole other world of possibilities for you.
Online Communities
Regardless of what your favourite hobbies are, there will be an online community out there for you.
Being involved in one will keep the elderly busy, but it will also create opportunities to connect with other like-minded people.
Virtual Chats
We know that for many elderly Australians, weekly catch-ups with friends and family are a happy time.
Given the current situation here in Victoria, in-person gatherings occurring indoors aren’t an option but chatting face-to-face in a virtual setting is.
Zoom or Skype are two wonderful options available that allow for multiple users to get involved and have a chat.
If you have a mobile or tablet, apps such as WhatsApp or Facetime are incredibly easy to use and will have you chatting in a matter of moments.
Stay in Touch
With everything changing so quickly within the pandemic, it’s important for the elderly to stay in touch with the latest news and health guidelines.
There are plenty of news websites and apps available for the elderly to use to keep on top of what is occurring here in Victoria and the rest of Australia.
However, we would suggest that continually checking in on the news can magnify an already highly stressful situation.
With this in mind, we would recommend limiting your news intake as much as possible to avoid becoming stressed.
These are just some of the options available to you for staying connected with family & friends during this difficult time that we as a home care provider here in Melbourne thought we would share with you.
If you would like to find out more about how our Bayswater aged care home care packages can support you, please contact us to leave an enquiry or call us on (03) 8720 1338.