5 Activities for Seniors Over Video Call

If your elderly relative is uncomfortable venturing outside due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have put together a list of some fun activities you can share with them via video call, to help promote companionship and a positive state of mental health, while maintaining social distancing.

Cooking

Attention all Masterchef fans! What better way to spend time together via video call than cooking together with the same recipe, with the added benefit of having a delicious meal to enjoy afterwards. You could even perhaps compete against each other, by choosing a theme, a cooking challenge or even a cake decorating challenge!

Exercise

Regular exercise is so important to maintain a healthy lifestyle regardless of your age. Thankfully, there are a wide range of options to choose from for exercise even if you are stuck indoors – such as yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, martial arts or non-equipment workouts such as push ups, lunges or sit ups. Not sure where to start or need a little extra help? Home Care Heroes has Heroes with a wide range of skillsets throughout the greater Sydney region, Wollongong and the Illawarra region, Newcastle and the Central Coast NSW. Find a Hero with expertise in fitness to help you achieve your goals and put a smile on your face while you’re at it!

Balderdash

Are you looking for an activity you can enjoy together as a group via video call? One particularly great game for seniors and those who require aged care is Balderdash. At times generating hilarious results, this game involves choosing a random long word from the dictionary or encyclopedia that everyone has to write a definition for. The real definition as well as everyone’s fake definitions are read aloud to the group, meaning players have to guess what the correct definition is. This is available as a formal board game, but can simply use a nearby dictionary if needed. It is great for memory recall and creative thinking.

Read our article 6 Best Games for Seniors for more ideas on games, brain challenges and puzzles that are particularly suited to seniors.

Learn a New Language

If you can’t travel overseas to your dream destination such as Italy for example, why not bring Italy to you! Learning a language from a culture you have particular interest in is a great way, according to the National Institute on Ageing, to reduce the chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease – by keeping your brain active during your senior years. There are many online resources to help you learn the basics of any language, or you could even borrow a book on the subject from your local library.

Artwork

Another great activity to share that can facilitate quality companionship and can easily be enjoyed over video call is arts and crafts. You could use any number of tools and materials available in your home – whether that be paint, pencils or just a nearby pen! Choose a theme you can both try together over video call, such as sketching a self-portrait, or a portrait of each other, or an emotion or feeling that inspires you both. There are no limits to what you can create! Why not learn some new techniques by finding a local Hero with artwork skills.

Are you unable to spend as much time needed with elderly relatives due to work or other commitments? Home Care Heroes is passionate about ending feelings of loneliness in the elderly community, especially in the times of the global health crisis when the majority of the population are recommended to stay indoors. When you sign up as a member, our team will match your elderly relative with a number of reliable and trustworthy Heroes based on shared interests and location – so you can choose support from someone likely to build a genuine connection. Get more hours of support for your budget with our affordable flat rate of $40 per hour including weekends and public holidays. We also offer video bookings.