The coronavirus pandemic has created a loss for everyone from small children to the elderly. Small children and youngsters are quite flexible and they adapt to the new situations because all they look for is fun and getting themselves entertained by doing some of the other activity with whatever is available. However, the same is not the case for elderly people as their physical health conditions and declining mental health makes them rigid to adapt to new or rapid lifestyle changes.
So, if your in-laws had the habit to visit religious places and socialize with other senior citizens of the locality or attend other relatives at home in the pre-coronavirus era as a part of their activities to get rid of boredom, and now they are missing these things very badly which is making them stressed out, then it is time to step in and design some new activities at home that will make them happy and keep them engaged.
Yes, there will be hesitation and resistance for any new activity that gets started or encouraged them to work upon but change is the law of life. You need not panic them by narrating all the horrifying stories about what all bad things are happening in the world but all you can do is give them a short brief about how it is not safe yet to venture out of homes to meet others or welcome visitors at home.
You need to think of simple ways of making them understand why they need to get up in regular intervals from their seats to do handwashing with soap water and why simple stretching and walking exercises at home are recommended for a healthy life. You need to speak in a very calm tone and worries shouldn’t pass in your tone. You can ask them to do some writing work or chanting new prayers for the well-being of the world. Following a set schedule helps them to think clearly and does not allow thoughts to wander here and there.
