June Health Tip: Stay CONNECTED
Stay Connected
Many older adults have been through life changes and health issues that require adaptation and have great resilience and wisdom. These traits will help them get through another difficult time. Psychiatrist, geriatrician, and UCSF professor Andreea Seritan, MD, provides several tips to create a healthy day. We continue tips included by Dr. Seritan and more information from the National Council on Aging for our June health tip.
https://psychiatry.ucsf.edu/copingresources/olderadults
Stay Connected
Researchers have shown that loneliness and social isolation increase older adults’ risk of adverse health effects, depression, and even cognitive problems. Your doctors have been advocating the benefits of social activities and getting out of the house to socialize.
Using Facetime, Skype, or other video chat tools (or a phone call if video is not an option), set aside a regular time to check in with your family or friends if you weren’t already doing so.
You can convert club or group meetings to video conference or phone conference calls. This is just as good as being in the same room. For example, book clubs, knitting or other craft clubs, woodwork classes, etc. can all be done online, using the camera in your phone, laptop, or tablet.
Do not let your preconceived notions of “I’m not good with technology” or “Technology is for younger people” deter you. That is not true! You can definitely learn a new skill at any age, and it is good for your brain to learn new things. Ask a friend or family member for help, or use tutorials you find online to learn how to do video conferences. For example, a group of older adults learned how to use Zoom and practice meditation together. They thought they couldn’t do it, yet they managed, and felt a sense of accomplishment when they did (plus, they didn’t miss their mindfulness class).
If you have a medical illness, you may already be a part of a social media group focused on that disease. This is an important social support strategy as the group may have lots of good advice for you. On the other hand, it is important to not focus exclusively on your medical illness, overshadowing other important things that can help you stay active and well at this time.