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Social Distancing for Seniors: How to Prevent Loneliness

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States, the term “social distancing” has become a part of our daily language. However, it’s so important to keep in mind that this is better described as “physical distancing” as social connection remains imperative, now more than ever.

Especially for our senior population, feeling social distant is a constant battle. As they are among the key population most likely to need serious medical care as a result of contracting COVID-19, this has led to less and less physical interaction from friends and loved ones. Even those who have professional care, whether this is in-home or in an outside care facility, physical contact has decreased as caregivers and medical professionals work to “flatten the curve.”

What we hope to share in this article are tips and solutions for maintaining a safe physical distance from our aging loved ones, at least until no new cases of COVID-19 have emerged, while still staying connected socially to ensure loneliness is kept at bay.

  1. Utilize technology.

Everyone appreciates a phone call or text to check in, but don’t undervalue the need to see each other’s faces. It changes everything! You will feel so much more connected to your loved when one when you use Zoom, Face Time, Google Hangouts, Facebook’s Messenger App. Set a weekly (or even more frequently) time to connect and make it a priority.

  1. Check in often.

We have ample tools to stay connected, but they’re not doing much good if we don’t make it a point to use them often. Commit to hearing from your loved one, ideally daily if you can. This ensures they never go more than 24 hours without a check-in. Hearing back from them daily will also give you peace of mind that all is well.

  1. Become pen pals.

Now more than ever, people really appreciate receiving a good old-fashioned letter in the mail. Sure, it takes added effort than a phone all or text, and that’s the point. Become pen pals with a senior and you two can exchange letters that will serve as a beautiful memory you can re-read and look back on in the future.

  1. Mail a care package.

Speaking of snail mail, take this one step further by sending a care package to an aging loved one. Consider including some activities or treats they enjoy, but may not be able to go out and get on their own. Many online retailers can bundle and ship such items to them directly and are taking all precautions to keep their items sanitary and safe.

  1. Ask directly about how they feel.

Checking in is the first step, but the next important step is being sure to ask your senior friends and family how they feel. Are they feeling anxious, lonely, unwell, or depressed? It’s human to not want to openly share our emotions, especially if they are negative. Yet, when someone asks us directly, we are far more inclined to share the hard truth – which also provides an opportunity to get help.

  1. Help answer their phone, app, or social media questions.

Adult children, you are so vital to your aging parents right now. In an effort to feel connected to the world during social distancing, they will turn to technology, much of which may confuse or frustrate them. Be patient and kind when helping them with their IT questions. This is one of the most loving gestures you can show.

  1. Create something to look forward to in the future.

Finally, give both you and your aging loved one hope for the future and a time when things will feel normal again. Consider planning your first in-person get together. Ask them what they would like to do – and plan it out! Pick a location and an activity. Possibly make a day of it and also ask what you can help them do around the house that needs done. They will be so grateful for the thought, and for something to look ahead to.

Do you have an aging loved one struggling from the isolation and loneliness during this time? Consider implementing a few or all of the above tips this week to help them through the challenges so many of us are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most importantly, maintain safe practices for you and your family so we may all overcome this soon and get back to seeing one another in person. Stay well!

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How to Protect Our Seniors from COVID-19

Commit to not seeing one another in person.

This is a hard piece of advice, but one that must be followed to the best of all of our abilities. Unless you are providing essential care to your aging loved one, please commit to not seeing them in person during the quarantine. Even the best precautions can fall short and it would be devastating to feel as though you passed on the virus to someone for which you care deeply.

Reinforce social distancing and staying home.

When you do check in with your loved one (by phone or computer), take the opportunity to reinforce the importance of being serious about social distancing and staying home. You may find that they don’t understand the need to do so, or maybe are still going out and about to run their own errands. Be sure to communicate the facts and that your request to follow recommendations comes from a place of love.

Run errands for them.

While you are reinforcing the need for older adults to stay home and social distance, offer to run errands for them, if you are low-risk and able to do so. Try to combine this with your own errands. You can pick up their groceries and other necessities like medications. Doing so eliminates their need to leave the house and reduces risk of exposure.

Remind them often of the CDC’s recommendations.

As the United States learns more about COID-19, the CDC’s recommendations are evolving. Be sure to check in with your aging loved ones to ensure they have received the most up to date information and are following it. Also guide them to where they can go to review these recommendations first-hand, such as online or offer to mail them an article.

Help answer their questions and concerns.  

Many people feel anxious during these times because they have questions and concerns that are not being properly addressed. When speaking with a member of our senior population, ask them if there is anything you can help clarify. You might be surprised by what your mom or dad don’t know or don’t understand. Use this as an opportunity to educate them with correct information.

Ensure they have professional help, if needed.

Finally and most importantly, when checking in with your loved one, be sure their essential needs are being met. Ask whether they have what they need to keep up with their personal hygiene, cooking, and cleaning and have the ability to do so without risk of injury. If you find your aging loved one cannot get by on their own, yet still wishes to remain living in their home, hiring a professional caregiver may be a solution. During the COVID-19 pandemic, home care agencies can provide professional caregivers who help seniors with their basic needs while taking every precaution to not spread the virus. This allows families to safely social distance while not worrying about the care of their aging relatives.

From our family at Ella Home Care, we hope you stay well and stay home during this time. Though this is among the hardest circumstances our world has ever faced, we thank you for doing your part to help keep everyone – including our loved senior population – safe and healthy.

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How to Create a Safe Living Environment for an Aging Loved One

As anyone you love grows older, they will reach a point where they will need to make adjustments to their living space to ensure it’s safe and that it meets their changing needs. If your aging loved one wishes to remain living in their home for as long as possible, it’s important to help them make these adjustments that can prevent a future accident and improve their ability to care for themselves.

Here’s a brief overview of just some of the many things you can do to alter the most heavily used living spaces in a home to better meet the needs of a senior adult.

Kitchen

In the kitchen the biggest dangers are sharp objects and the stove and oven. Sharp objects, such as knives, should be stored in a knife block, ideally. This hides the sharp edges of the knives so that they are only accessible when needed. Even when stored safely, knives still pose a hazard as they are used, washed and transported. Depending upon the ability of your loved one, you may consider removing most or all sharp objects from the kitchen, especially if they are not generally needed for basic food preparations.

It’s common for a senior adult to forget to turn off the oven or stove. You can write notes reminding your loved one how to use these appliances and how to turn them off. You can purchase a kitchen timer and leave it near these appliances so that a timer can be set when cooking. You may also want to tape a sticker near the oven and stove reminding them that these surfaces are “HOT!”

Bathroom

In the bathroom, you will want to be sure your loved one has proper support to use the toilet and shower. Guide rails and stools can make it easier and safer for a senior adult to use the bathroom. Another potential hazard is the misuse of medications or bathroom products. You’ll want to be sure that everything is clearly labeled in a way that makes sense to your loved one. Finally, make sure that bath rugs have rubber backings so they cannot slide. Bath rugs will also help soak up any water that could cause a slipping hazard.

Bedroom

In the bedroom, you’ll want to make adjustments so your loved one can easily maneuver around the bed, especially if they require a wheel chair, cane or walker. The height of the bed can also pose a challenge. If it’s too high, they may need a step stool. If it’s too low, it will be difficult to get up without help. Also be sure there is an adequate night stand that can house a lamp, electronics and any other personal items that are frequently needed throughout the night like water, medications or glasses.

Living Room

Similar to the bedroom, you’ll want to help arrange the living room in a way that makes it easy for your loved one to maneuver around. Check the flooring to be sure there are no loose rugs, long cords or furniture that could cause someone to trip. Less is more! Since your loved one will be spending much of their time in this room, it’s smart to place a phone here so they can take calls without having to quickly move to another room. The phone also provides a means for communication should something happen.

Other Precautions

Stairs pose another challenge for aging adults. At some point it will not make sense for your loved one to climb up and down stairs each day. You should consider rearranging things so that their core living spaces all on one floor. Outside, you’ll also want to assess the stair situation. It may be necessary to put in a ramp. Every so often you’ll want to check for any faulty locks on doors and broken or worn out items that need replaced. Things like a burned out lightbulb or dead smoke alarm battery are as annoying as they are unsafe!

Do you have additional questions related to creating a safe living environment for a senior adult? We are happy to answer! Leave a comment below or contact Ella Home Care today.

Our Promise To You

  • All calls answered by a live person
  • Engaged & well trained home care professionals
  • 24/7 access to your loved one’s care plan through our online portal
  • We will listen more than we talk
  • We will work one-on-one to develop your care plan

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Ella Home Care
Address:
839 Market Street
Lemoyne, PA 17043

Phone: (717) 963-7280
Fax: (717) 695-2892

Email: info@ellahc.com