5 Ways Kids Can Support The Elderly Population Right Now

In years past, my daughter and her Irish step troop would visit local senior citizen homes, community centers, and hospitals to perform their dance routines. The entertainment energized so many of our loving hosts. But now, as we're social distancing to help flatten the curve of COVID-19, the dance performances are canceled.

Right now, we have to be mindful that the elderly are among the most vulnerable populations during this COVID-19 pandemic. Though sacrificing visits to nursing homes or Grandma's house are necessary, we cannot forget what that time with them might have meant.

Ask your children to call their grandparents and get to know them a bit better. What was life like growing up, and how did it differ from today? What is their favorite story from growing up? How did Grandma and Grandpa meet?

Recording special family recipes Grandma made was one of my favorite childhood projects—invite your kids to do the same. Cooking also teaches key executive functioning, like organization and planning skills.

If your children are looking for something creative to do, making cards for the elderly is a good use of time. They can either send these to a local nursing home or to their grandparents' house.

Visualizing a plan helps children build critical future thinking skills. Have them write a script and make a movie to say hello to relatives who are unable to visit right now.