Activities during a pandemic

Staying home during a pandemic has been so difficult for everyone. Creating meaningful activities can help keep your loved one engaged and combat depression. Many older adults not only benefit from the physical assistance a caregiver provides, but also from companionship.

Loneliness is contagious and a vicious cycle whereby older adults who feel lonely are more prone to behave in a manner that prevents others from seeking their company, thereby perpetuating the loneliness. Psychologists from the University of Chicago, which included John Cacioppo, analyzed data from the Framingham Heart Study, a long-term, ongoing cardiovascular study, and found that solitary seniors had a tendency to further isolate themselves by pushing people away and not making efforts to engage with others. Loneliness is one of the most challenging aspects of aging. As men and women age those who experience loneliness are more likely to physically and mentally decline. Individuals who are unmarried or living alone may be more prone to loneliness. Individuals without children may lack support to combat loneliness compared to individuals with children or grandchildren. Individuals with mobility issues especially struggle with social isolation.

Here are some activities to engage in during a pandemic:

Take a virtual tour:

Streaming Events:

  • The Metropolitan Opera is streaming performances every night at 7:30 pm EST and then saving the playback for 24 hours

  • The Cincinnati Zoo is hosting “Home Safari” live streams daily at 3 pm via their Facebook page. You can also check them out on their YouTube channel.

  • Check out a calendar of upcoming live stream music events

  • Be sure to live stream church services as well; simply check the website for your local churches for information as most are live streaming during this time

  • Take a doodling class from the Kennedy Center’s Artist in Residence, Mo Williams. While he is known for being a children’s author, the Lunch Doodles series really can be for anyone.

6 Virtual Exercise Ideas

If your residents have access to technology like tablets or smart-televisions, you can encourage their participation in virtual exercise groups as well. 

  • You can lead exercise groups via Zoom or video chat

  • Silver Sneakers has a YouTube library of classes to choose from

  • Work with your local senior center or park district to see if they will record short exercise videos for your residents to watch and enjoy

  • Try a chair yoga class via YouTube

  • Have a daily dance party throughout your community where you show a recording of your staff dancing to music; encourage every resident to move along to the beat too. This is an excellent daily celebration reminding everyone (staff too!) that we made it another day in this crazy world.

  • Have a game of virtual catch by taping clients (with permission) catching and then tossing a ball off camera. Use an app like VideoShop or iMovies to splice the videos together. Consider adding music, like Centerfield, and share it throughout our community It’s guaranteed to brighten up spirits!

Here at NorthShore, we create customized activity plans to match your loved ones interests and help them have the highest quality of life.

Melody Lynch