Social Isolation can make the average person go crazy, but there are ways that technology can help you overcome this. Finding productive ways to fill your time indoors can become boring, but we have two tips to keep you on your toes.

Technology Helping Seniors In Isolation

Keeping up to date with your health or making sure to keep your body moving are beneficial ways for keeping up with your physical and mental health.

Stay Active Indoors

If you’re a senior who typically likes to stay active then being cooped up in the house isn’t a great feeling.  For older people, strength and balance exercises are particularly important, as muscle strength starts to decline rapidly after our 30s. Yoga, tai chi, resistance training and seated exercises are beneficial.

If you are self-isolating with symptoms, or someone in your household has them, you shouldn’t leave home but that doesn’t mean you should stop moving. It’s really important to use movement and activity as a way of breaking up your routine, if you feel well enough. Cook, play active games, dance, go into the garden if you’ve got one. If you are unwell – use your energy to get better and don’t try to be active. If you can get out of bed, then do so but don’t try to do too much.

Finally, if you are feeling better after having had the virus, return to your normal routine very gradually. We don’t know what the long term effects are but as far as we know, there is no reason why you can’t gently return to normal activity. Of course there are many fitness websites and online apps people can use to help find a routine with Daily Yoga workout and fitness and Calm, a meditation and sleep app.

And while you’re at home, tempting as it is, try not to eat everything in sight. Aim to minimize stress. And try to use the time wisely – read that book, do an online course, learn a new language, clear out the cupboards. It will all help.

Keeping Up With Your Health

Staying fit isn’t the only health concern for older people, especially these days. Seniors generally have more health problems and needs than younger people, and trying to stay healthy is why we’re all in this situation in the first place. Tech can help there, too. 

Getting and keeping track of prescription drugs can be done through several apps. Medisafe reminds users to take their medications, while CareZone uses a device’s camera to scan medication prescription labels so it can remind the user when to take and refill them. Some apps may be useful from a caregiver’s perspective, too. Apps like Lotsa Helping Hands and Caring Village let caregivers and family members create groups to organize and share duties for someone who needs the extra help.

Finally, telemedicine services allow people to virtually consult with their doctor and other health professionals, reducing the need to seek medical attention in person. Medicare recently expanded its telemedicine coverage (including relaxing patient confidentiality rules so that apps like Skype, FaceTime, and Facebook Messenger can be used) for this reason, with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services urge people to help older loved ones navigate the technology needed to take advantage of the program if they couldn’t do it for themselves.

Ultimately, all of these tech solutions are only as helpful as a senior’s ability and desire to actually use them. If your loved one just can’t get the hang of apps and devices — or simply doesn’t want to bother with them — don’t fret. Your grandmother may never get the hang of using an iPhone, but she almost certainly knows how to use a regular phone; she’s probably been using one her entire life.

Reno Valley Assisted Living and Retirement Community

Reno Valley is an assisted living and retirement community that makes living independently, while at the same time feeling safe and secure, a reality. We strive to provide the best quality of life for all residents including those suffering from loneliness and depression.

We offer a comprehensive activity program that includes both physical and social activities to encourage emotional well-being. Our staff is trained to assist those with depression. If you or a loved one are considering assisted living, contact Reno Valley today to learn more about our services or tour our community.