Helping Residents to Stay Engaged During COVID-19

Helping Residents to Stay Engaged During COVID-19

Here are a few ways we found to assist in keeping residents engaged and entertained during quarantine - and they're FREE!

Libby - Libby is a free app where you can borrow ebooks and digital audiobooks from your public library. You can stream books with Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download them for offline use and read anytime, anywhere. ... You can download the Libby app on most iOS, Android, and Windows 10 devices.

Colour Therapy On-line Adult Coloring Pages - this free iPhone or iPad app offers 60+ coloring pages that can be done electronically to create beautiful works of art. Then the completed project can be saved to the user's mobile device and shared on social networks.

Armchair Travel - Travel to exotic places from the comfort of your favorite chair. These videos will take you around the world to visit new places or re-vist places you've already experienced. Make it a socially-distant group activity by serving some food or snacks from the chosen country. Be sure to check out videos by Rick Steves, travel expert too.

Lux Radio Theater - Listen on-line to Lux Radio Theater, one of the genuine classic radio anthology series (NBC Blue Network (1934-1935); CBS (1935-1955), adapted first Broadway stage works, and then films to hour-long live radio presentations. It quickly became the most popular dramatic anthology series on radio, running more than twenty years. The program always began with an announcer proclaiming, "Ladies and gentlemen, Lux presents Hollywood!" Cecil B. DeMille was the host of the series each Monday evening from June 1,1936 until January 22, 1945.

30 for 30 Podcast - Calling all sports fans! This series comes to you from the makers of the award-winning ESPN TV series of the same name. Covering everything from big-league poker to the rise of female marathoners, this podcast is as much about America as it is about sports.

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History - In "Hardcore History" journalist and broadcaster Dan Carlin takes his "Martian", unorthodox way of thinking and applies it to the past. Was Alexander the Great as bad a person as Adolf Hitler? What would Apaches with modern weapons be like? Will our modern civilization ever fall like civilizations from past eras? This isn't academic history (and Carlin isn't a historian) but the podcast's unique blend of high drama, masterful narration and Twilight Zone-style twists has entertained millions of listeners.

In-Room Fitness Challenge - YouTube has many fitness videos tailored to senior adults. Assist residents in a finding videos that are right for them and start a fitness challenge. Create a leader board, serve healthy snacks, throw a party (after quarantine is over) to celebrate milestones met by participants.

Active Choices Online! from Elderserve - A FREE, interactive six-month fitness program that incorporates physical activities into daily life. Geared toward tech-savvy individuals aged 55 and older, this program offers effective exercises that can be completed in the comfort of home for beginners and advanced persons alike. The program is designed to improve cardio, strength, balance and flexibility. And, Active Choices Online includes the following benefits:

• One-on-one session with ElderServe Wellness Coordinator to create a six-month plan. (Via Zoom or Facebook Messenger)
• Weekly Check-Ins via phone or video conferences for support and accountability
• Two FREE Elastic Fitness Bands and a pedometer
• Access to the ACO Facebook Group for exercise demonstration videos and group meetings
• Contests, incentives and virtual celebrations for meeting fitness milestones
• Healthy eating tips
• Access to the Active Choices Newsletter

To learn more, contact Sana Ahmed at 502.736.3847 or sahmed@elderserveinc.org.

Terrarium Gardening - For the green thumbs, bring the garden indoors by creating a terrarium garden. While not free, terrarium gardens can be created with a variety of materials, a variety of designs, and in a variety of vessels. Check out a few ideas Here.