It’s unfortunate that seniors are in a high-risk category for COVID-19. That means that as some

distancing restrictions start to lift in British Columbia, those same restrictions for seniors will

likely last a bit longer.

The social isolation that comes with social distancing is hard on seniors. All of us are, after all,

social animals, who need contact with others to flourish.

As providers of long-term, senior care in Penticton, the health and welfare of the residents in our

senior community are our highest priorities. So, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help your senior

friends and family cope with social isolation.

Use Other Methods of Contact

If you can’t be with a senior in person, then call him or her on the phone. Or use video

conferencing. Or write letters, yes, the old-fashioned kind.

There is plenty of modern-day technology available to enable you to talk to your senior friends

and relatives daily. Make a point of talking to them at the same time every day, so they have a

schedule they can count on.

Suggest Ways to Reduce Depression and Anxiety

Meditation is
very effective at reducing stress, depression, and anxiety, and it’s free! It only takes a few

minutes per day. It’s a way to relax and focus the mind and the body.

Suggest Journaling

Journaling or keeping a diary can be beneficial and therapeutic for anyone—not just seniors.

Encourage them to write something down every day about how they are feeling. If they don’t

want to write, they can use voice to text software on a computer or just record their voice. Or

they can dictate to someone else—like you—on the phone.

Here at The Hamlets at Penticton, we will do everything we can to help our resident seniors

weather the COVID-19 storm. We hope these tips will also help any seniors that you know who

may be struggling with social isolation.