During the month of June, we recognize the contribution of our seniors to our country and our community; it is also a time to increase awareness of the issues they face during this challenging time.
It is believed COVID-19 has changed our feeling of social isolation and loneliness which affects seniors more than those in any other age group. Ageing brings many changes that can contribute to a more solitary life and COVID-19 has exacerbated these changes. Some of us are managing our loneliness by communicating with family, friends and others using a variety of digital tools. However, despite advances in communications technology and the increasing connectedness it brings, research indicates that many of our seniors lack the skills to easily use digital technology and are, therefore, lonelier than any other age groups during this challenging time.
As we start celebrating seniors' month, it is time to connect with seniors around us. Connecting with our seniors is the corner stone of their life. Building connections with seniors will support and enrich their every day during this challenging time. We encourage you to invest time in connecting with seniors you know.
Tips to create a meaningful and sustained connection with our seniors
- Engage seniors in a story- telling exercise for children and grandchildren. This can be done by phone or other virtual communication tools.
- Engage seniors to tutor children remotely
- Organize informal a virtual social or support group
- Communicate regularly by phone, mail, email, Skype and other social media.
- Communicate with a newcomer to help him/her practice language skills.
- As some of our seniors may need training on how to use social media, connect them with young people (e.g. grandchildren) to provide hands-on training and guidance on social media use.