One of the first activities cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic was seniors’ card games. Playing with shared cards in close proximity is pretty high-risk behaviour.
The Quesnel Seniors’ Centre has found a modern solution — using an app and iPads to keep people safe while playing.
President Doug Service said a member came forward suggesting using the app Trickster to play, and he was able to secure iPads for the centre from the City of Quesnel.
The app allows players to interact by joining the same game online.
“We have two that are playing from home,” Service said. “We phone them, make contact, and then they get online. We can hook up the camera and see them and hear them at the same time that we’re playing, which is the beauty of it, as it gets more social.”
Service said he thinks 12 people can be physically present in the Seniors’ Centre to play, with more able to connect virtually.
“It was an opportunity to get back some sense of normalcy,” he said. “[Cards] are a benefit to all of us because we’re socializing and getting together. And as winter approaches, this will probably be more common.”
Getting seniors online hasn’t been smooth sailing, according to Service.
“There’s a little bit of frustration, trying to get into it and make it work,” he said. “It’s a little bit competitive and a little bit friendly, and trying to get everyone on the same page with the program sometimes takes a little bit more time than you would expect.”
Weekly indoor pickleball will begin at the Seniors’ Centre starting after the November flu clinic leaves the centre.
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READ MORE: Quesnel Seniors’ Centre preparing for COVID-19 comeback
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cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com
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