During this pandemic event, seniors are one of the most vulnerable groups impacted by loneliness and isolation. Many seniors are under strict visitation guidelines, whether they are at home or in assisted living communities.
Since your loved ones are more physically distanced from family and community, it is more difficult for them to get the socialization they are used to. Not addressing this can easily have negative impacts on their mental, physical, and emotional health.
Studies have shown that loneliness and senior health issues go hand-in-hand. Now, more than ever, it is important to engage with your parent and also support your kids in connecting with their grandparents.
Grandparents, however, may live far away from their family. Familial visits may be few and far between, meaning that children cannot completely know their grandparents. Since COVID-19, physical restrictions can further increase the emotional distance between family and grandparents, making it harder for your kids to stay close to them and get to know them better.
One great way to keep grandparents engaged and connected through this pandemic is to connect with them through video platforms such as Facetime or Zoom. Set up a time to call and ask them questions about their life, their current feelings, and how they feel about the current situation.
Asking Life Questions to Grandparents
Asking grandparents about their lives and their loves should be a fun and rewarding task. People, generally, are quite pleased when someone shows an interest in who they are and what they do.
When children question their grandparents about their past, they can not only learn a lot about their family’s history, but they can help keep those important family stories alive. Once a grandfather or grandmother is gone, their stories can be gone as well, or at least become far more difficult to recover.
Discussing Matters of Importance
Discussing matters of importance in your video call can also benefit grandparents. If grandpa or grandma is showing the early signs of dementia, talking with them can help them retain memories (or even spark new memories) before they are completely forgotten.
Science shows that socialization improves overall health and well-being, so it should be highly prioritized — especially now.
Amanda Butas is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and a Geriatric Care Manager. You can reach her at (480) 699-4899. You also can visit Home Care Assistance at our new office, next to Bed Bath and Beyond, located on Power and McKellips roads, at 2031 N. Power Road, Suite 103. If you need support caring for a loved one, call us. Our trained caregivers can provide support to fit your schedule and provide you with peace of mind. We understand aging and we can help your loved one age in a healthy manner.