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Ideas to cheer up/support those shielding/self isolating for extended periods.

3 replies

SRK16 · 17/04/2020 10:38

Just wondering how you are trying to bring some joy/happiness to those who are going to be at home for the foreseeable future, particularly those who live on their own so may be very lonely.
My grandmother is in her mid nineties and has always been incredibly active, socialises every day, does keep fit etc. She is getting very upset and tearful (understandably). My dad is her ‘carer’ getting all her shopping for her, and stays to chat in the garden or inside from a distance (has to help with some cleaning so needs to be inside, disinfects anything he touches, wears a mask). That is her sole face to face contact at the moment. I phone almost every day, and FaceTime (she doesn’t like FaceTime very much but it’s good to show her my son). I email her funny articles or uplifting stories. I sent her a letter because she likes post. I think my cousins are also in regular contact.

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas of anything else I could do to brighten her days, and thought maybe others might get some ideas too. I appreciate in the scheme of things there isn’t much I can do, but I do think little gestures make a difference.

OP posts:
blackcat86 · 17/04/2020 10:58

See if there are any bakeries or independent bakers doing little cake or treat deliveries. I'm shielding (with DH and a toddler) and it was the highlight of our week when cake arrived! It's also supporting local business. It can often be left in a bag outside the door and is what I have planned for a friend who is about to give birth. You can also buy things from Amazon to be delivered to her depending on her interests. A friend who is an Avon rep said they are still doing direct deliveries from their online stores (so comes from a warehouse) and this is my plan for MIL because she loves avon - nice toiletries, hand soap etc.

SRK16 · 17/04/2020 19:29

Thank you, those are nice ideas. There’s a local bakery that could do a little cake. She’s not really into toiletries etc. It’s tough as I know the only thing that would really help is going to see her or taking her somewhere :( but in the meantime anything that would at least make her smile for a few minutes.
Hoping in a few weeks maybe we could sit in her garden and have tea. It’s heartbreaking hearing how sad she is.
If anyone has any other ideas I would welcome them.

OP posts:
NewAccountForCorona · 17/04/2020 20:10

Has she tried the adult colouring books? My mum loves them - in fact she has run out of colouring pens she's been doing them so much.

She finds she can colour at the same time as watching tv/listening to radio.

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