Activities for Homebound Seniors

For those of us who are very active and typically not home bodies, staying home can become monotonous and depressing. The advances in modern technology permit us to remain home and stay involved, active and social. Here are some thoughts to help you remain social safely:

Communicate with your computer or iPad. You can see and speak with your loved ones, doctors and other important contacts using Zoom, Facetime, Skype, Google Meet, Whatsapp, or ooVoo. You can also communicate your thoughts and read other people's thoughts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Quora, and YouTube. Grandpad is an iPad app that has become popular, providing fun for the whole family. This intuitive technology allows everyone from kids to older adults to tap a picture to make a voice or video call, send and receive emails, view family photos and videos, and send photos. You can also check out the weather for any location, plays your favorite music and has fun single and multiplayer games. You can go to www.grandpad.net to view.

Staying healthy at home can be tricky. If you can’t get out of the house walk around the dining room table as many times as possible. Lift cans of soup to keep your muscle tone and increase the number of cans in bags as you get stronger. Dancing, stretching and doing chair exercises will help you stay fit. The best form of exercise is cleaning and organizing your home! Vacuuming, dusting and washing can stimulate your heart and muscles.

Keeping your mind active by playing cards, reading, playing trivia games, checkers, chess, electronic skill games or any other game that provokes thought will help. You can play Scrabble and other games on your smart phone or tablet with loved ones across the world.

If you can no longer stay home safely or happily, then it may be time to consider moving to a senior community. Independent or assisted living communities offer apartments that are safe and designed with purpose. They include emergency pull cords, mini kitchens, housekeeping, laundry service is available, meals and activities. There’s always something to do and the communities are the safest place to live for our vulnerable seniors.