Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Ideas for Mental Stimulation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

No matter who you are or what your situation looks like, the global COVID-19 pandemic is going to take a toll on your mental health. This is especially true for those who are caring for an elderly relative who is at a greater risk of developing severe symptoms should they become infected with the virus.

Caregivers will experience the most stress, but that is not to say that the senior loved ones for which they are caring will be immune to the emotional effects of these trying times. The good news is that there are ways in which to brave the storm. One of those ways is to enjoy mentally stimulating activities together – ones that act both as welcome distractions and an opportunity to improve memory function. Here are some examples.

Playing games

Now is the time to whip out that old Scrabble set or to work on a crossword. Jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku are other great options. If you happen to have a deck of cards handy, why not also give a new game a try?

Harnessing the power of technology

We’re not talking about scrolling through social media for hours on end. Use technology to engage the mind by accessing various free resources, such as virtual museum and art gallery tours or virtual tours of National Parks from around the world.

Reading

Reading is the ultimate way in which to visit new places without having to actually go anywhere. Unfortunately, many seniors will lose the ability to read for themselves, especially if they develop dementia or Alzheimer’s – but that doesn’t mean that you can’t read to them. Another lovely alternative is to download an audio book app that you can both relax and listen to throughout the day, or even a podcast, YouTube video or TEDTalk on topics that match your interests or passions.

Telling stories

Before life became overwhelmingly busy, you probably loved cosying up with your relatives and hearing all about their many interesting stories. Now that you have so much extra time on your hands, you have the opportunity to listen and enjoy once again. Encouraging a loved one with memory problems to talk about their past is also known to be beneficial for their mental wellbeing.

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