How Seniors Can Stay Connected During Quarantine

Seniors stay connected with video chat

The entire world is forced to stay home during this COVID-19 global pandemic, in efforts to keep the general population safe from the infectious virus. People of all ages are at risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus, however, seniors are a greater risk of losing their lives to the virus. Seniors need to go above and beyond when it comes to taking preventative measures against contracting COVID-19.

Seniors are being told to not even go to grocery stores and to ask loved ones or delivery services to deliver food to their door. In fact, a Senior Living Community in NJ is taking this very seriously and doing all that it can to keep seniors inside their homes by preventing visitors from coming to the community.

However, as seniors should not even leave their home to run errands, many feel anxious and are wondering how they can stay connected to the outside world. Here are some ways that seniors can stay connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Popular Ways That Seniors are Staying Connected During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Seniors don’t have to live in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic; they can stay connected to the outside world with these technology services:

Video Calls

This is the most popular way that seniors can stay connected to friends and family while in quarantine. Seniors can talk to friends and family at any time of the day, for as long as they want, and for free using apps such as:

  • FaceTime
  • Zoom
  • Skype
  • WhatsApp
  • Facebook Messenger

SEE ALSO: How to Use Skype for First-Timers | Easy Comprehensive Guide

Though social distancing is challenging and heart-wrenching for many seniors, video chatting technology is an outstanding benefit that seniors should use to their advantage to stay connected to people outside of their homes.

Drive-Bys

Drive-bys are increasing in popularity during the COVID-19 virus. Family and friends of seniors that are going out to buy essential products are driving by and parking in front of their elderly loved one’s home. Seniors have the opportunity to step out onto their driveway or patio to wave and have a 10 foot away conversation with the people in their life.

Drive-Bys are the closest that people should get to each other, especially to seniors. This creative way to stay connected will leave seniors and their friends and families feel a sense of comfort after seeing each other in person rather than behind a computer screen.

Social Media

For seniors that are technologically savvy, social media is an outstanding way that seniors can stay connected to friends, family, and the outside world overall. Often, seniors assume that social media is for the younger generation, and though that is who uses it more so, seniors can definitely benefit from social media, especially as they are forced to live in isolation.

Seniors can chat with friends, see family pictures, and get news and updates at their fingertips while using social media. Some easy to use social media apps that seniors should start using to stay connected during the global pandemic include:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
  • Pinterest

SEE ALSO: How to Use Facebook for First-Time Users

These popular social media apps will keep seniors connected while also providing hours of entertainment. Seniors can follow whatever they want on social media and can personalize it to make their time in quarantine as enjoyable as possible.

Live Streaming

Stay connected doesn’t have to mean only talking to friends and family online, it can also mean staying up to date with things that one enjoys, and a popular way to do that now is by live streaming. Live streaming will allow seniors to watch live videos of things that they enjoy.

Live streaming is more or fewer celebrities or people with a large following recording a live video online. Some popular live streaming videos that people are watching include:

  • Authors reading
  • Singers performing shows at home
  • Politicians speaking on various topics
  • Fitness classes

Live streaming will keep seniors connected to what they enjoy as well as providing them with entertainment for hours. If live-streaming is something that a senior is interested in, he or she should search online for a topic that they enjoy and see if there are any upcoming events for them to tune into.

Social Distancing Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely For Seniors

With modern-day technology, seniors don’t have to be lonely while in quarantine. Seniors can stay connected to friends, family, and the things they enjoy by taking advantage of all technology has to offer. If you are a senior, make an effort to use technology; or if you have a senior in your life, reach out to him or her during these uncertain times.