April 8, 2020

7 Ways to Make a Senior's Day While Social Distancing

About Brookdale Senior Living

Brookdale Senior Living offers multiple care levels for seniors in more than 600 communities nationwide. Brookdale helps you find the right care plan for yourself or your loved one. With amenities such as transportation services, salons and private dining rooms and activities such as gardening, fitness classes and trivia nights Brookdale caters to a wide range of interests and needs.

A grandmother virtually talking with her granddaughter

As COVID-19 evolves, social distancing is more important than ever, especially for seniors. But social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation. Thankfully, there are many ways for loved ones to ease feelings of loneliness and stay connected with seniors during this time.

These long-distance activities can help you spend quality time together and might even take your mind off things for a while.

Use FaceTime, Skype or Zoom

When you can’t see your loved one in person, a video call can bring you closer together.

If you and your loved ones have smartphones, it’s as easy as a FaceTime call. If not, you can use Skype or Zoom to make video calls for free. If your loved one is having a difficult time downloading the software, patiently walk them through the installation process over the phone, and you’ll be connected in no time.

Once you’ve got video calling set up with your loved one, there are all sorts of ways you can spend quality time together. Which brings us to our next tip…

Have Virtual Drinks

Set aside a weekly time to chat over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Though you may not be together in person, getting together for a drink can help restore a sense of normalcy, routine and fun to your day.

Make your drink date even more fun by breaking out your most festive mugs and glasses.

Host a Long-Distance Dinner Party

Email invitations to your family, friends and, of course, your senior loved ones to join you for a virtual dinner party. And sure, this party is BYOE (bring your own entree), but it’s a great way to get the family together while observing social distancing.

Using Zoom, multiple people can get together on one video call. It’s a wonderful way for seniors and loved ones to catch up with one another. For an added touch, get dressed up for the occasion. You could even make it a costume party.

Play Trivia Together

Trivia is a great way to get together for some fun when you’re apart. Best of all, you can do this easy activity over FaceTime or just a regular phone call.

Grab your trivia cards if you have them. If you don’t, use the Random Trivia Generator app or their website for free trivia questions. The team or person who can answer the most questions wins. But beware — seniors really know their stuff.

Connect the Kids with Their Grandparents

If the kids are home from school, set aside some time for them to connect with Grandma or Grandpa. Set up a video call so that grandparents can spend quality time with the kids while they do structured activities like arts and crafts.

For more ideas, see our homeschooling projects designed to bring grandparents and kids together during social distancing.

Challenge Them to Words with Friends

If your loved one has a smartphone or tablet and a way with words, they will love playing Words with Friends.

This app is old-school Scrabble with a modern twist. It’s a familiar game that’s easy to play, and it allows you to join in on the fun no matter how far away you may be. Seniors can play with Facebook friends, family members and other players from all around the world. It’s a great way to stay connected and take your mind off things.

Make a Simple Phone Call

If video calls aren’t an option for you or your loved one, that’s okay. A simple phone call will make your loved one’s day. What’s most important is showing your senior that you care during this difficult time, and that even though you’re apart, they’re not forgotten.

Our hearts are with the families and communities affected by COVID-19. At Brookdale, we continue working to provide a happy, healthy environment for our residents — during these challenging times and always.

For more information about how we’re responding to the coronavirus, visit our COVID-19 response page. Not seeing what you’re looking for? WHO and the CDC are sources for trusted and updated information on COVID-19.