Even without Covid19, Seniors can experience stress and loneliness. Though hesitant to admit the scope or impact of these feelings on everyday life, Seniors can experience marked improvement with some simple steps.
Friends and Family strategies:
Link seniors with others. If personal visits are not advisable, phone calls are simple. Help them add their friends to a group call. Enroll them in a daily cheer call. FaceTime with them so they can enjoy seeing your smiling face.
Music. Ask what type of music makes them happy and show them how to find it on their phone or TV service provider. Everything from Big Band to mellow tunes to religious music works wonders in bringing thoughts back to happy times, family, and seasons of life. Listening to favorite music with a good set of headphones helps.
FOOD. Offer favorite foods. Anything from Barbeque to ice cream, can lighten mood!
Physician Visit. Consultation with the senior’s doctor is important if sad mood becomes depression. Don’t hesitate to help the senior have this conversation. There is help available!
“I suspect there will be a growing need for professional help for people struggling with the emotional toll the Pandemic is taking.”
Louise Hawkley, PhD