Page 8 - Whole Magazine June 2020

Coping with isolation as an Older Adult

Staying home during the coronavirus can set up a chat and then email a link to phone calls, video calls, or letter writing If you don’t have a library card, that’s
pandemic is crucial to the health of older everyone who wants to join. with the people in your life. okay. Many libraries let you sign up for a
adults and other people at high risk of If you already use Facebook While it might seem counterintuitive, digital library card online without having
having a severe illness if they’re infected Messenger to type messages to loved ones, now’s also the perfect time to brush up to go into a branch
with COVID-19. But when you’re stuck it’s easy to start a video chat with that app. on old skills or learn some new ones. If you miss your local library’s
at home for long stretches of time it’s Just press the video camera icon, and the You might not be able to attend that educational programs, there’s a solution to
easy to feel isolated; it can make doing app will ring everyone in your chat group. ceramics class you’ve been eyeballing or that too. Lynda.com, the online learning
what you love harder (if not impossible) Old-fashioned letter-writing browse through books at the library, but platform, has teamed with libraries
and leave you yearning for connections Now is the perfect time to return to this there are plenty of online resources you nationwide to offer free subscriptions to
with loved ones. lost art. Recruit friends or family to can use to keep yourself occupied and all library cardholders. Sign up for a
So we’ve compiled some tips and exchange letters with, or meet someone learning. boatload of free classes in everything
resources to help you combat isolation new. You can find a pen pal within Brush up on your tech skills from music lessons, photography,
and push through the doldrums that can the AARP community if you’re a member. It’s more important than ever to use and writing, to web conferencing using
come from being homebound. Or check with a nearby senior-living technologies and online resources. If you Zoom or Skype.
Stay connected to loved ones is hard community to find quarantined residents feel intimidated by video chatting or To get a library card, sign up for free
when you can’t enjoy Sunday dinners who might make enthusiastic writing other technology, check out Senior Lynda courses, or see what kinds of
together, gather for celebrations, or just partners. Planet, www.seniorplanet.org. This ebooks, audiobooks, or movies you can
drop by for a hug and a cup of coffee. But Plenty of other websites connect pen organization holds classes (many of them borrow, visit your local library’s website.
that doesn’t mean you can’t still talk pals too, but use caution with these online) on topics such as how to initiate a Have you ever wanted to revel in
with, see, and enjoy the company of platforms. Some scammers target older Zoom meeting, the best mindfulness
those you love. adult pen pals, so never give someone apps, and how to find online health artwork at the Louvre? How about
standing in the shadow of an Egyptian
Video call apps your personal or financial information, no resources. pyramid? With Google Arts and Culture,
Thanks to growing technologies, you matter how long you’ve been exchanging Many libraries have closed due to the
can now chat face-to-face with friends letters. COVID-19 pandemic, but your library www.artsandculture.google.com, you can
virtually explore world-famous museums,
and family without worrying about Schedule daily or weekly calls card is still a key to knowledge and
catching COVID-19. Zoom is one of the Calling up a friend when you’re entertainment. Most libraries offer the exhibits, landmarks, and historical sites
via photos, videos, and commentary.
most popular chat apps because it’s easy thinking of them is a great way to have a ability to “borrow” ebooks, movies, and Explore Machu Picchu without having to
to set up, and you don’t have to spontaneous chat, but sometimes looking audiobooks online. You can download hike, or plan a post-pandemic visit to the
download anything. You or a loved one forward to connecting can be as enjoyable these media and enjoy them on your Sydney Opera House.
as the talk itself. So schedule regular computer, tablet, or smartphone.
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8 June 2020