The trees have started to sprout their leaves and the apple trees in my yard are getting ready to bud!
This is a time of year when we are getting ready to step outside and revel in the joy of spring. Yet, we
are reminded that April can be colder than we might like.
This is a month of a lot of transitions! In Minnesota, we love this month as it begins with a lot of snow and usually rolls into a sense of spring. The birds start to return from their migrations and the snow piles slowly melt!
Start your week out on a high note with other fun seniors. Everyone is staying home this year. I have been meeting with a few seniors during December to see what we can do to connect with each other during this winter. Many are used to traveling but choosing to stay home this year. Join us to share your favorite travel adventures and get to know other active and curious seniors. We are hosting different presentations and topics through out the month. Share the invite with a senior you know and have them join us.
Do you realize that as many as half of Seniors, mostly women, do not have email (not an option on a flip phone or Consumer Cellular phones)? They provide the ability to talk, text and a data plan. There is email. To be on a group video call (to talk with your entire family at the same time, attend an online class, have an online get together with your friends or meet with your trusted advisors), you need to have video access and an email. You may be able to video call one on one, but not as a group. Consider gifting a smart phone, with in-person training, to your loved ones this year.
Are you going to be taking everyone’s temperature when they come to your door or will you host a
virtual meal with your loved ones? Consider inviting family and friends – especially for those who may
not have family to connect with. It is hard to have a holiday, it is harder to celebrate it without anyone
else to join you. Consider you can attend this year in your sweatpants and flannel shirts!
In the past month, I learned something from a fellow business owner, Fred Lewis, owner of Fred’s Audio Visual Services. He is in his eighties and has a tremendous amount of energy. Fred shared with me that he reached out to his high school classmates (class of 700) to check in with them and discovered about half of them do not have email. When we share this observation with an executive with Lutheran Services, she said when they surveyed seniors on Survey Monkey, they received 100% response on the use of their email. They learned they asked the right question, but to the wrong group.