How can I cheer up my mum?

[SistemaAddict]

Posting for traffic, sorry

My lovely mum is 80 and widowed. We normally see each other three times a week if not more and are very close. We speak at least once a day and send texts regularly and FaceTime occasionally so the dc can see her.

She's been at home for 7.5 weeks and is fed up as most of us are.

What could I do to cheer her up?

I've had delivered a few of her favourite dvds and crossword books, sent flowers, and have ordered her a book as she's missing going to the library. She doesn't have Sky, Netflix, or anything like that as no broadband and her phone is small and has limited data so that's no good for reading books or watching tv on. She's 80 and not technologically minded at all but has mastered WhatsApp so you never know! She's normally really active and goes to the gym and to an exercise class every week. She gardens but finds it exhausting and it aggravates her arthritis. She's fully independent and with it and bored senseless.

Does anyone have any ideas of how to make things less dull for her and to cheer her up?

My mum is in a similar position so am watching with interest for any ideas! (Good idea about crossword books) It's tough isn't it? The only other thing we've done is DD has written her a letter and we've posted her some photos as well as sending some on WhatsApp.

We've had DC do their reading on the phone to my DM, plus they chat with her every few days.

Is there no chance of you arranging better internet connection? My DM is now doing an online seated/standing exercise class twice a week.

A weekly quiz over zoom is fun, or a board game.

Is she going out at all?

Perhaps, under the circumstances, your mother should invest in broadband and a smart TV. My dad is a technophobe but even he is able to negotiate the apps on his smart tv to find something to watch. I know he's spent a lot of time watching things on iplayer during lockdown. It does help pass time.

My mum is 76 and at home by herself as well. She does jigsaws, crosswords and quizzes, listens to the radio. She usually does a line dancing class once a week so has been doing a few dances in her kitchen! She’s baked a couple of cakes. Is your mum able to knit or sew with her arthritis? Does she have photos that need sorting out? Sorry I wish I had more ideas for both our mums x

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately she doesn't have the money for broadband. She can't sew or knit due to the arthritis and damage due to a fall years ago but she does bake and has made a few things. She's only coming to my drive once a week to collect her shopping from the doorstep as I do one online shop for us both. That 10 minute chat across the drive is our weekly highlight. Other than that she's not going out because she's had some nasty gals with severe fractures and the pavements round here are dreadfully uneven and cracked. They are why she doesn't have dexterity or sensation in her fingers to enable her to knit or sew. If she becomes unwell or has a fall I'm the o my person who looks after her and as I don't drive and am shielding this would be a nightmare. We don't have big enough homes to move in together otherwise I might have suggested that although I think we'd drive her crazy! The dc are erm, spirited

I've ordered her another dvd. She does exercises at home and walks around the garden. She's not sat idle but is lonely. We shop together weekly and she visits us or we visit her normally so it's a big change to only see her briefly once a week when she collects the shopping.