Simple ways you can keep our elders connected to the outside world during COVID19.

Covid19 is a going to be around for a while - so important that our elders feel connected to each other, their families and the wider community. The long term affects of social isolation can be devastating to our elders mental and physical health, but with a little outside the box thinking - we can bring connection straight to their door.

Here's some simple ways to make that happen.

Virtual visits.

From free communication tools like Skype to smartphone apps like Face time, there are a lot of ways to see and catch up with family and friends. Many online communication tools provide a video feature to help you feel more connected to loved ones. When you’re looking for a more simple solution, a quick phone call can also help lift spirits. Teenage grandkids would love to be snap chatting with nan and pop - or at least they can teach their parents how too!

Host a zoom party and invite the residents families to all log in at the same time.

Zoom is a great way for workplaces and businesses to communicate - why not schedule a time for a get together and send links to their family and friends. That way everyone can chat at the same time and see each other too! Don't forget the nibbles.

Sofihub - Constant care everywhere

SOFIHUB home is a digital companion that can provide medication reminders, fall detection and a remedy for loneliness. Sofihub home improves the independence and quality of life, in a non-invasive way.

Sofihub uses advanced adaptive care technology for our elders while dramatically reducing their reliance on family or professional carers. I love what Sofihub can offer. I had a recent live demo and I am a big fan of the technology - so I know you will love it too! Suitable for home and facility use.

Tic Tac Toe on the window

Invite residents families - especially the grandkids to come visit externally, accessing their loved ones room or a common area through the garden. Set up a game of Tic Tac Toe on the window with coloured electrical tape - then all you need is a couple of whiteboard, chalk or even permanent markers and you are away- and they can be wiped off with hand sanitiser or alcohol in between games.

Ask families to contribute and create a living timeline for their relative

Threadcare is an app which allows the user to grant access to trusted family members or friends to view and contribute to your timeline.

Loved ones can easily submit their own stories and anecdotes from your lives together to your timeline while also keeping up to date with what you’ve been up to through your own posts. Great way to communicate and stay connected - just a spare IPAD, a quick download and you are away.

The old fashioned way

Families can write letters and send gifts to loved ones in isolation - carers and life style support staff can assist residents to write back to them, or provide pen and fancy paper for them to write themselves.

Send a quick email to all the families asking for a letter every week. It will make ALL people feel like they have purpose during these unstable times.

Words with friends

Do you enjoy playing Scrabble with friends and family? Now you can try a similar game with your loved ones from afar. Download words with friends onto residents iPhone or iPad and add their family members to connect and challenge them to a round of words with friends, an ongoing crossword game that lets you spell out words with friends from all around the world. You can play with family, or strangers from around the world. Send a quick email to families requesting spare IPADS or IPHONES during COVID19 to keep their loved one connected.

Online trivia, cross words, suduko and much more.....

There are plenty of free online games for seniors at online seniors Victoria. New games added each day, plus an online seniors magazine and regular COVID19 updates too.

Gaming for older people.

No - I am not talking about online gambling. Nintendo has a range of games for seniors or games you can play in seniors mode. Why note get out the old Xbox or DS and give to your grandparents. Games like Brain Age, Clubhouse games or even Mario Cart - as it can be played with people from around the world or family members- connection to others right now is instrumental. Got an old Wii in the garage! Now's the time to drag it out and donate it to a good cause.

We can use this time to reinvent the way we deliver care during this time - stay tuned for more tips on staying connected.

Stay safe and sane everybody!

Nicole x

[email protected]

communitycafe.com.au