As the coronavirus lockdown begins in earnest, some seniors are seizing the opportunity to learn new skills and broaden their horizons from the comfort of their own homes.
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For elderly people who run out of things to do around the house, Wagga's U3A president Daphne Carswell has plenty of ideas to go around for those who call her seeking advice.
For the last few weeks she has been many people's go-to source of recommendations for books to read, activities to do, and ways to stay active and keep the stir-craziness at bay.
With the right mindset, she says, self-isolation could be seen as a shining opportunity for people to learn those skills that they didn't have time for previously.
"U3A is all about keeping people's minds and bodies going and keeping in contact with one another," Mrs Carswell said.
Now that their group can no longer meet in person, they are planning to switch more of their activities online to keep their brains active as the quarantine period stretches on interminably.
They have already launched an online exercise program and are planning to start an online book club to replace their face-to-face meeting that was forced to shut down.
Mrs Carwell is also reading books to keep her mind sharp in self-isolation; currently she is reading The Brain That Changes Itself, a book about how people can train and improve their brains even into old age.
Now that she has more time on her hands she is finally able to put more work into her garden and get around to those chores she didn't have time for previously.
"We're all expecting to have squeaky clean houses and magnificent gardens after this," Mrs Carswell said.
"I'm a positive person. You need to be thankful for what you have."
Wagga Men's Shed president Peter Quinane is using his newfound time to finish up those odd-jobs around the house and spend his afternoons tinkering away in his personal shed.
"I've been painting outdoor furniture - it's a lovely job," Mr Quinane said.
"I've got everything I need - I'm coping well."
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Kenji Sato
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
Kenji Sato is a handsome journalist at The Daily Advertiser who enjoys writing flattering bios about himself in the third person. He can be contacted by email at kenji.sato@dailyadvertiser.com.au or by mobile on 0448 927 612.
