Staying Connected with the Elderly During Isolation

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought many changes into our lives and in times like these, it’s important to stay in contact with your grandparents and older neighbours, family or community members.

Older adults may feel increasingly worried and anxious during this time. Keeping in touch and showing you care can go a long way towards helping them to stay positive and to get them through this tough and unfamiliar time.

“…can you believe that happened?”

The further we move into the post-lockdown period, the more we’re hearing variations on this phrase uttered in every corner of society – from hallways, to supermarkets, to conversations overheard at the local cafe. 

How to stay connected during COVID lockdown

For days, weeks, and even months for some, communities of individuals struggled through periods of social isolation, unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

For the elderly, the impacts of ongoing social isolation can be vast – and intersectional. Decades of research (such as this significant 2020 study) continues to demonstrate that loneliness both significantly impacts wellbeing and can be linked to the onset of dementia, depression and a variety of anxiety disorders. For the aging population, individuals whose lives are already affected by issues surrounding relationships, connection and the death of friends and family, the impacts can be tenfold.

While every day brings with it new discoveries surrounding COVID and its impacts, one thing is for certain: the importance of staying connected during periods of isolation – caused by Coronavirus, illness, location or otherwise – will remain an ongoing issue for individuals who are growing older, their carers, and their families. 

The answer? Remaining informed about, aware of and empowered by the various options at your disposal for helping the ones you love stay connected when it matters most.

1. Familiarize yourself with the signs of social isolation

According to a 2021 Institute of Health and Welfare government report:

• Almost half (46%) of respondents reported feeling lonely “during the past week” (April 2020), and 
• 40% of people surveyed reported an increase in the amount of time they felt socially isolated since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020

For elderly communities, people with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and those already isolated due to ongoing mental health or social-emotional challenges, those statistics increase.

According to published research about elderly relationships and numerous medical studies, symptoms of social isolation can include, but aren’t limited to:

• Restless and lack of sleep
• Loss of mobility or interest in remaining mobile
• Increased spending habits
• Substance abuse
• Symptoms of depression
• Cognitive decline
• Increased time spent at home, even when unnecessary to isolate
• Changes in the frequency of phone calls

What’s important is that those charged with the responsibility of keeping loved ones socially connected during periods of isolation take note of symptoms, and seek appropriate advice and care as necessary.

2. Keep in touch using purposefully designed communications technology

During lockdown, our devices – whether smartphones, tablets, laptops or otherwise – kept us connected, informed and ahead of the news as we continued learning more about the virus and its impacts. 

But was this truly everyone’s experience?

There’s a reason why so many adults are unable to use regular smartphones. If you or a loved one has shaky hands, low vision, Dementia, or another condition that makes using a finicky device a difficult task, you’ll know exactly what we mean.

What’s more, it’s now recognised that increased face-to-face conversation via video calling can improve cognitive function after just six weeks (learn more about the OHSU study here).

The best thing? It’s perfect for those who could benefit from the technology, but not the dense user manual.

3. Stay connected through shared interests and passions

One of the easiest ways to maintain connection with an elderly loved one during periods of isolation caused by COVID, health issues, or otherwise is to come together over shared interests such as art and music.

In the contemporary day and age, we’re lucky to have access to a range of media that we can discuss and share remotely, that can help to build stronger emotional relationships. 

Here are some ways to combat the effects of social isolation using music and related forms of media:

• Share a streaming link or mail your loved one a CD or record, or listen to music together and connect via video phone to discuss what you liked about it
• Decide to watch a movie (together or remotely) then call each other to debrief
• Pick an audiobook and make an agreement to listen to a specific chapter each week, discussing as you go

4. Introduce animals to combat isolation in aged care

Of course, there will be times in one’s life where staying connected with loved ones during periods of imposed isolation is difficult – or even impossible. 

So, what better way to beat the isolation blues than to send in a (furry) proxy!

According to University researchers, although a majority of pet-therapy programs haven’t yet been subject to peer-reviewed scientific evaluation, the evidence base continues to build and gain momentum.

For example, a government-sponsorred relationships study reported that from a comprehensive review of nearly 70,000 articles, having animals in care settings has been found to benefit a wide range of individuals including those with Autism, a range of psychological disorders, Dementia and Schizophrenia.

5. Stay connected during COVID with a clear routine

Finally, one of the easiest ways to stay in touch with loved ones during isolation is to establish a mutually agreed-upon routine of communication.

Activities such as enjoying a video call, speaking on the phone or writing letters to each other weekly/fortnightly isn’t only enjoyable, but gives the people in your life something tangible to look forward to.

Learn more

Contact Konnekt or your nearest sales/support partner to learn more about Videophone, or read what customers around the world are saying about how Videophone is helping them during the pandemic.