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Home » Exercise Programs » Virtual Resources for Older Adults during the COVID19 Pandemic – GeriPal – A Geriatrics and Palliative Care Blog

In a recent telehealth visit, a patient presented alongside her husband, who was concerned that she had become a shell of herself. She previously enjoyed reading, spending time with family, and attending a water aerobics class at her local YMCA. Since the pandemic began, she has suffered from isolation; her aerobic classes were suspended, and their children had stopped visiting in an effort to protect them from contracting COVID19. She hadnt left the house in months, stopped reading books, and seemed disengaged when her family called. He observed that she spends her days watching television and sleeping, and he was concerned that her memory had dramatically worsened in the past four months.

Social engagement and intellectual stimulation are critical to ones wellbeing, memory, and mood. Numerous observational studies demonstrate that social engagement and cognitive stimulation can delay or prevent onset of dementia. Even before the pandemic, social isolation was a threat to the well-being of older adults. Social isolation and loneliness were identified as serious public health risks by the National Academy of Medicine in 2020 [1]. Older adults are at particularly high risk of social isolation for a number of reasons, including sensory impairment that may limit mobility or ability to drive, cognitive impairment, geographic separation from friends and family, and the risk of widowhood and loss of loved ones that increases with age. The pandemic has amplified these barriers, and caused a staggering increase in reported loneliness and social isolation, particularly among older adults. Clinicians in practice may represent the only point of contact for some older adults and, therefore, should be prepared to recognize signs of social isolation and respond with suggestions for activities and resources with which they might engage. We have compiled a list of free or low-cost resources for older adults that provides for social engagement and intellectual stimulation during this period of physical isolation and social distancing.

Overcoming Technological Barriers

A recent study by Lam et al found that approximately 30% of the US population over the age of 65 had barriers to engaging with virtual technology due to lack of internet access, lack of internet-accessible device, and/or inexperience utilizing technology [2]. Overcoming these barriers are vital to allow older adults to engage with their communities. Although some older adults are reticent to learn new technology, the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness emphasizes the importance of virtual connections during the pandemic era [3].

For older adults on a fixed income who dont have access to the internet, there are a number of very low cost ($5-10/month) options available. Daily Caring compiled a list here. There are also a number of resources available to teach older adults how to utilize various virtual platforms:

Senior Centers

Senior Centers are community-based organizations that promote the health and wellness of older adults. They receive federal, state, and sometimes local funding, as designated through the Older Americans Act. Senior Centers have varying minimum age requirements (typically between 50-60), and offer a wide variety of services, including adult education courses, fitness courses, volunteer opportunities, social groups, and more. Many services are free or available at low cost; if services have fees, they often exist on a sliding scale based on the participants income. During the COVID pandemic, many senior centers have converted their enrichment courses to an online format, making it even easier for adults in the community to engage. AAAs are an excellent resource to help older adults connect with local senior centers and explore their offerings.

Adult Education and Learning Opportunities

Religious Communities

Faith and spirituality are important to many older adults, who may be struggling to engage with their religious communities while maintaining social distancing. Many places of worship have embraced virtual technology to record and broadcast sermons or offer community engagement activities. Older adults should reach out to their local place of worship to see what options are available.

There are also a number of virtual resources for various religious communities. A small sampling is included below:

Museum and Zoo Tours

Many national landmarks and tourist spots have begun offering online experiences. These virtual visits can be more engaging if performed with a companion. Loved ones sheltering apart can participate in these experiences simultaneously while communicating with each other by phone or interactive video platform, allowing them to make observations, discuss what they see, and learn together.

A small sampling of free experiences:

Fitness

There are a number of fitness course offered virtually. Older adults should always discuss the safety of initiating a new exercise program with their primary care providers and consider a physical therapy evaluation if they have significant impairments in balance or mobility. If safe to participate in an exercise program, a number of older-adult specific programs exist:

Mental Health and Counseling

There are a number of resources to address mental health needs during the COVID crisis:

Creative Activities at Home

Active participation in creative, structured, goal-oriented activities can provide variety and cognitive stimulation.

Conclusion

Loneliness has affected people worldwide during the COVID pandemic, and older adults are one of the hardest-hit demographics. We have mentioned only a handful of high level options for older adults to stay positive, engaged, and healthy during the pandemic. While many of these are national programs, more specific and accessible options may exist at the local community level. Contact local AAAs or Councils on Aging for more information. Regardless, we urge everyone to reach out and check in with the older adults in their lives, think outside the box, and be creative to find solutions to address this critical issue.

References

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Virtual Resources for Older Adults during the COVID19 Pandemic - GeriPal - A Geriatrics and Palliative Care Blog

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Home » Exercise Programs » Virtual Resources for Older Adults during the COVID19 Pandemic – GeriPal – A Geriatrics and Palliative Care Blog