How Seniors at Risk Can Stay Busy During the Quarantine

By now everyone knows that as a group, we are seniors at risk for the Covid-19 virus.  The news media drums it into our listening ears multiple times a day. Social media is full of warnings for seniors (as well as those with compromised immune systems) to stay at home and out of harm’s way.  Now almost a month into our stay-in-place restrictions, how’s it going?  Are you following the guidelines and orders?  Have you lost your mind yet?

Last night, President Trump and his corona virus health experts outline his plan for reopening American businesses and our way of life. It will be done in phases, and both phase one and phase two require that seniors continue our quarantine efforts. Seniors, perhaps more than other age groups, struggle with the restrictions to our freedom, so let’s look at some of the reasons why we find it difficult to isolate ourselves, as well as some excellent ways to spend our time.

Isolation May Cause Mental Health Issues for Some Seniors at Risk

Younger seniors who are tech savvy may have no difficulty amusing themselves during this social distancing period.  But take a look at your neighbors.  Are there some who don’t have access to social media or even mobile phones? Some of those folks may feel particularly isolated and depressed when they can’t get out to shop or see their families. Being stuck inside means they may not get the exercise their bodies are used to, and that could cause a decline in physical health. Check on your neighbors by phone or even with a note in their mailboxes (if that is considered safe where you live). Devote a little time each day to checking in with elderly neighbors and friends you know.

If you live in a senior village, residence, or over-55 community, the quarantine may mean you can no longer share meals with other residents or nearby friends.  Recreational activities have mostly been stopped. Exercise facilities shut down weeks ago. Life just isn’t the same. Look for ways to connect from a distance.

Some Communities Get Creative

I live in a Southwest Florida development that includes all ages. However, the majority of residents are definitely seniors at risk of infection. The pools shut down weeks ago; the gyms also closed. Tennis courts and pickleball facilities are padlocked.  The golf course remains open with certain restrictions. For those of us who don’t play golf, that means nothing. Our clubhouse closed. The once busy Grille and upscale restaurant can no longer serve meals inside. However, the restaurant prepares food and we residents can order delivery.  The serving staff, wearing masks and gloves, delivers phoned-in, pre-paid orders on golf carts, leaves the bags by front doors, rings the doorbells and backs off, so that no one is exposed to germs. We can walk and wave at neighbors, so we aren’t as isolated as many communities.

If you live in such a community with its own restaurant and they offer a similar service, consider yourselves fortunate.

How You Can Quarantine Without Boredom

This is your opportunity to relax and exercise your personal creativity. Is there a hobby you’ve been wanting to try? Now’s the best chance you’ll every have.  Consider the following ideas:

Reading and Listening to Music

 

 

If you don’t own a tablet of any sort, you can download the Kindle App on your laptop or desktop computer. Because I did this years ago, I don’t feel the need to purchase a tablet and rarely buy “real” books anymore.  Nothing speaks peace and serenity to me than settling down with a downloaded “book” with my favorite music playing in the background.

Sewing

If you sew and own a machine, your skills could be put to good use by making safety masks for healthcare workers or even for your friends and neighbors. Plenty of patterns can be found on the Internet.  I suggest finding one that includes an inside “pouch so you can add an extra layer of protection. Hint:  Coffee filters can be cut to fit and work nicely as protective layers.

You could also get a head start on Christmas gifts you can sew. From clothes for the grandkids to doll clothes for the little ones, to handmade items for your kids’ homes, there is no end to the creative ideas. My personal sewing favorite is designing and sewing Christmas ornaments for my children and grandchildren.

Photography

 

Grab your camera and mask and head out on a solo walk – or even a bike. Look for wildlife to photograph. This time of year, many animals have birthed new offspring. Where I live, shore birds are plentiful, and there is nothing cuter than a family of sandhill cranes getting their exercise and grazing on available bugs.  You never know what you may find to photograph.

Puzzles and Games

Jim and I enjoy puzzles and what better time to set one up on the dining table and work on it a bit when you walk by!  No guests will be dropping in, so you can leave it up until it’s finished.

We used to play games more frequently, but this might be a great time to pull out the old favorites.  We like games that challenge our minds a little. Bananagrams® is fun, as is Scrabble®. Jim likes number games, but those aren’t my style. Perhaps they are yours.  Board games provide a pleasant change from the computer or mobile phone.

Whatever your choice, if it’s a game you haven’t played recently, you’ll enjoy the diversion.

Stay in Shape

So, the gyms are closed. The pools are closed, as are the tennis courts and other activities that you usually pursue to stay in shape. But you can still get your exercise without those more public pursuits.

I just purchased a small, mini-bike exerciser. It’s basically a mini-exercise bike with only the pedals. It sits on the floor and you pedal it like a bike. I had a good 20-minute workout with it this morning.  I found this product advertised on Facebook and ordered it for $40. I’m thinking it was a wise purchase, as long as I continue to use it regularly. The mini-bike folds easily for storage, something important when you live in a condo.

Hand weights also help keep the muscles toned and working. You can find those at any discount store and very reasonably priced.

Spend more time exercising your dog!  Your pet will appreciate the extra attention from you and both of you will benefit from extra walks and play time.

Walking is free and most of us can get out and walk as long as we keep a proper distance from others.  Put on your mask and head out. You may find yourself noticing more wildlife or plants than you normally would.

Reconnect in the Kitchen

An interesting way to work together with your partner is to order from one of the fresh food ready to cook companies, like Home Chef, Hello Fresh or others.  The food comes with vegetables already cut, peeled or whatever is needed. Instructions are clear with photos.  Interesting spice mixes are included to help you create a gourmet-type meal.

My husband, who has never shown any interest in cooking, really seems to enjoy preparing these meals.

Technology Rocks for Seniors at Risk

A study in the United Kingdom showed that as many as 42% of adults ages 55 – 64 enjoy playing video games. 40% play strategy games and 20% play multiplayer games with their grandchildren.

This site lists 10 best games for seniors to play on their phones, tablets, computers or gaming consoles.  From Candy Crush to various word games and even Flight Simulator Xtreme, the options are many and varied.

If you are missing your sports during the quarantine, look for some phone or tablet apps about your favorite.  There are many baseball, basketball, soccer and football games available, and most are reasonably priced.

While video games can take over your life and annoy your family, now while you are in stay-at-home mode is a good time to sharpen your skills.

More Quarantine Ideas

1.  Write that book!  You have talked about it for years, and there’s no better time than now.

2.  Organize your photos. Most of us have a ton of photos stuck in boxes around the house.  Decide how you want to permanently preserve them and spend time each day working on that project.

3.  Redecorate your laundry room. The laundry is usually the most boring room we have. This would be a good time to paint the room and perhaps add some decorative touches. Here are some ideas to get you started.

4.  Make music. Do you have a keyboard or guitar? Now’s the time to practice your skills.

5.  Learn something new.  Go online and find information on a subject that interests you.  Learn how to grow orchids or how to make a quilt.

6.  Check out your favorite restaurants for take-out.  Many restaurants switched to take-out and/or delivery options when they had to shut down for the quarantine. Some offer special, restricted menus, while others sell their regular menus.  Order an occasional meal and help keep your local restaurants alive.

7.  Watch a Broadway show.  Here is a site where you can actually watch Broadway musicals. They offer a 7-day free trial if you aren’t ready to sign up.

8.  Make masks to donate to hospitals and nursing homes.  Web MD offers good info on creating masks, and here is another site.

Many possibilities are out there just waiting for you to participate.  Share your own ideas in the comments below.

Yes, Seniors at Risk Can Survive the Quarantine!

With all those options available to us, there’s no reason to reach panic mode over being quarantined.  With plenty of online options for reading material, music, and even good old U-Tube, we can satisfy our senses.  The Internet offers plenty of videos to accompany our daily exercise, and even Mother Nature welcomes us to enjoy her offerings. From puzzles and games to phone and tablet apps, we can stay as busy as we wish during this time-out from our usual way of life.

And don’t forget to check on your neighbors who may be lonely and in need of conversation or help.