According to Pew Research Center’s analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, adults age 60 and older spend nearly seven hours alone each day—more than half of their hours spent awake. This amount of time increases with age. Too much alone time can negatively affect a person’s physical health and mental well-being.
Often an older parent or relative lives in a long-term care facility such as a nursing home, which may make visiting less convenient. To further complicate things, spreading illness and infectious diseases means extra precautions must be taken during a visit.
Caregivers may have your loved one’s best interest in mind, but it won’t replace your presence in their lives. While they may not voice it, an aging parent or grandparent still wants to stay connected. Remaining an integral part of an older relative’s life is something you will never regret.
5 Activities to Keep in Touch
Here are simple activities to plan together:
- Arrange a flower window box. Cheer up the room with an outdoor window planter or an indoor garden. Have your loved one help design it and pick out his or her favorite blooms.
- Listen to a religious service. If your relative can no longer attend religious services, he or she may feel left out of the community. Make some time to watch or listen to a virtual sermon together.
- Make a memory book. Your relative may enjoy sharing happy memories with you. Buy a journal or scrapbook and help document any fond remembrances. This treasured keepsake will be cherished by your family for generations to come.
- Start a book club. While you may not be able to physically read together, creating a family book club brings everyone together. Set a deadline for everyone to finish the chosen book, then set up a Skype or Zoom call to chat about it.
- Schedule a virtual movie or game night. If you cannot go by and visit, show your relative the basics of setting up a Skype or Zoom call. Find time during the week to play a game or watch a show together via video call.
Older or sick family members may not have as much energy or feel up to everything you propose. Always adapt the activities to their specific needs and medical conditions. Be flexible—your loved one just wants to have you near. It’s OK if an activity doesn’t go as planned. The time spent together matters more than the activity.
