Being stuck inside comes with plenty of challenges. From parenting a child who is now home full-time to maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner, the current climate is testing us all. But for those with elderly loved ones who need care, there is a whole new set of hurdles to overcome. If you’re looking for ways to care for elderly loved ones’ health during the COVID-19 quarantine, here are a few things you can do.
Teach Technology
The average age of retirement is 63, which means your older loved ones are more than capable of learning new technologies. In fact, technology is probably the most helpful tool you have to stay connected with your elderly loved ones right now. If they already have a smartphone or a laptop at home, great! If not, now is the time to invest in one of those devices for them. Once they have the basics down, consider teaching them…
- How to start a video chat.
- How to set up captions if they’re hard of hearing.
- How to stream their favorite shows.
- How to text.
- How to stay connected with social media.
If you live separately from your elderly loves ones, take some time to visit and teach them — through a window or glass door — to utilize some of the tools at their disposal to better enjoy the time they’ll be spending inside. You just might find it’s a fun activity for you, too!
Social Distancing, Not Social Isolation!
With social distancing measures in place, it can feel more difficult not to socially isolate, especially for elderly folks. When you think about the fact that almost 20% of the U.S. population will be over 65 by 2030, it becomes apparent just how precious time with loved ones really is. So when you’re practicing social and physical distancing, remember that isolation shouldn’t be part of that equation. If you haven’t checked in with your elderly loved ones in a little while, take the time to do so. Establish a schedule for regular calls and virtual family get-togethers. If there’s a birthday coming up, make an effort to celebrate it with your loved ones! Keeping your elderly loved ones socially involved in your life can make all the difference in the world during these strange times.
Make Grocery Runs
Everybody needs groceries, but at a time like this, it may be dangerous for your elderly loved ones to head out to the store. Instead of leaving them to fend for themselves with apps like Instacart, make time to go out on a grocery run for them if you’re able. Sure, maybe the fact that only about 50% of vitamins can be absorbed when taken orally might make you want to stay home instead of picking them up for your loved one. You can argue the effectiveness of these things until the cows come home, but the truth is that your loved ones might need them more than you think! So take care when collecting your loved one’s grocery items and make the trip for them. The best part? You can do this while you’re grabbing your own groceries, so it’s really not taking too much time out of your day.
Taking care of elderly loved ones can be a challenge on the best of days sometimes. But staying connected in whatever ways you can is more important now than ever. And it’s easier than you think! If you’re struggling to look out for your elderly loved ones right now, consider implementing one of these tips today.
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