As we cross the one-month mark of Shelter in Place orders and lockdowns across
the country, Lively is proud to support our extensive community of older
adults, caregivers, friends and family by making it easier to stay connected.
Our customers have approached this period of quarantine in many ways,
utilizing different resources, creative outlets, and keeping up with loved
ones to maintain normalcy and positivity. Luckily, in 2020, we have more
resources than ever to keep us connected and safe.
Lively surveyed a number of its community members through a
Facebook post</a >
to see what was making a difference to their lives in this “new normal”. What
we received were over 1,200 responses around what these members of our
community are doing to stay close without getting close during these uncertain
times.
Here’s an overview of what our community is doing to stay connected, and what
has worked best for them:
How are you staying connected to your family and loved ones during this time
of social distancing?
The consensus was that physical and social distancing were two different
things- overall, respondents are using this time to communicate more than ever
before. “A friend of mine and I have started using the term ‘physical
distancing’ rather than social distancing,” said one group member. One of
Lively’s missions is to
keep older adults connected, as many
do not have family or loved ones nearby. While physical distancing is
constantly a barrier to connection, we do not need to find ourselves less
social. One respondent said she writes one handwritten letter and calls one
friend each day. Another packs a lunch and finds a neutral location where she
and a friend can eat their lunches from their respective cars, keeping a
distance but maintaining connection. Many respondents are not letting these
regulations get in the way of their connections, adding that it’s not
“socially distancing,” but instead “distant socializing.”
How are you maintaining a routine and avoiding isolation?
Mental health experts recommend maintaining a schedule to provide structure
and organization to your day. Although important to stay connected with
others, it’s also critical to check in with yourself and make sure you are
taking the necessary steps to avoid isolation and keep yourself active. Many
respondents said the key is staying positive and maintaining a good attitude.
Some said they are leaning on their communities, whether it be a church
service moved online, virtual happy hours with friends, or gathering from a
safe distance with neighbors and friends. Others are taking advantage of
additional solitude and using it as a time for new hobbies: learning a new
craft, using smart assistants to play music, setting daily intentions, or
doing things like crossword puzzles to keep the mind active. No matter the
route, many are forming new routines to strengthen connections and keep from
feeling lonely.
How are you utilizing technology to stay connected with loved ones?
Many respondents highlighted how thankful they were for the increased adoption
of technology. Had this occurred 10 or more years ago, many older adults would
not have the same degree of technological skills or options to keep them
connected. Whether it be regular phone calls with friends, a Zoom birthday
party, or reading a bedtime story to their grandchildren over FaceTime,
technology is keeping members of the Lively community more connected than
ever before.
Even the Facebook respondents acknowledged and thanked each other for the
sense of community they felt. Technology has instilled new and
previously-unimaged ways to foster a sense of community during times of
separation.
As we navigate this unprecedented time, it is more important than ever to
find human connection with others </a >. Through the Lively community, we’ve learned new ways to stay connected,
actively move away from times of isolation, and become closer (emotionally,
not physically) to those around us. As one user put it, “We are probably
realizing how important we all are to one another. Stay connected the best you
can- it’s so very important.”
