During this time, of Staying Home and Staying Healthy, we want to help you help your loved ones the best way possible. When seniors are in their homes, often times, they are alone. Being alone for extended periods of time can present many challenges for families. If we are to keep social distancing to keep our loved ones safe, how can we best help them? In addition, we receive many questions from listeners who are asking many questions. Hopefully this will help you with ideas!
Commonly asked questions regarding seniors living at home
1. Is it safe to hire home care?
In this time of COVID-19, home care providers have received extra training and have resources to help your loved ones’ environment clean and sanitized. Home care services can do many things that your loved one may have relied on your for, like light housekeeping, running errands, medication management and more.
Being a licensed, bonded and insured agency, home care workers are well versed in what is necessary to keep your loved one safe. They can help to make sure that your loved ones are well looked after during this time, and also be a friendly voice and contact to have during these lonely times.
2. “Mom/Dad are lonely.” “How can I help them?”
The best thing you can do to help offset loneliness is to frequently connect! Schedule a regular daily check in call with them every day. Share with them how you are “in this together with them.”
Also — set a standard time so they can see you on the screen! If your senior loved doesn’t have a tablet or computer, there are some amazing deals right now, and if you can financially afford it, invest in one for them. If they are computer literate, help them to learn how to do a Zoom call! Create a family night weekly where you can all catch up together!
3. People want to know how to get tested.
The best thing you can do to find out if you are eligible to be tested is to go to the CDC website. The link is HERE. Bear in mind, here in Washington State, we are doing our best to provide enough swabs and testing equipment, but we still do not have enough. Governor Inslee has stated that we anticipate a need for even more testing equipment in the future, and through relationships with private resources, more equipment and supplies will be available soon.
4. What is tele-health, and who are we talking to, etc.
Thank goodness that new services like tele-health exist! For those of us who have regular physicians, a tele-health appointment is very similar to a regular doctor’s visit. It will allow you to consult with your physician without exposing your body to the places where COVID 19 may likely be present. If your physician has this service, check out their website, and they should have something that directs you to make an appointment.
5. Someone in my parents’ independent living community got COVID-19. Should I be worried?
First of all, the obvious questions are if your parent had recent contact with the individual. Yes, there is a chance that the virus lingered in common areas, but the same chance exists outside of the community.
Senior Living communities are used to dealing with viral outbreaks. They happen. Thus, there are precautions and procedures that every community follows to make sure that the environment that your loved one lives in, is as safe as it can possibly be.
If your loved one is in a community, it is likely the safest place by far for a senior. There, they are surrounded by healthcare professionals, and those who are working around the clock to make sure that safety is the utmost priority. That includes restricting visitors from the outside as well.
6. I need to do errands for my parents. How can I do those things and keep them safe.
We understand there is a need to help your senior loved ones. If you usually grocery shop for them, you can leave groceries on a front porch or hallway. Make sure if you come into contact with them, that you are wearing a mask.
Of course, we are also blessed to have delivery services that can come to their home. Yes, it costs more, but the small amount you are paying is worth the risk of keeping you safe, right?
7. What kinds of items should I purchase for a senior that they may not already have?
It has been proven that air purifiers with a heap filter can eliminate COVID-19 from the air. In addition, opening windows to allow circulation into the room can be extremely helpful as well.
Foods:
- Purchase items that keep. This includes canned items like tuna, chicken or beans, or dried items like pasta, rice etc.
- Fresh Veggies: Let’s face it, some veggies last longer than others. Go for harder ones like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots and celery. Potatoes can be stored as well.
- Snacks: We are all eating more as we are hunkered down at home. Obviously, it is likely that your senior loved one may want to do the same. Most seniors have a craving for sweets — so seek out softer candies, or if they like salty items, olives, pickles and pretzels are a great option.
- Frozen foods: You can also make homemade soups and put them in airtight containers and freeze them. In addition, find items that are microwavable that are healthy.
How do I Prepare the Medicine Cabinet?
- There is no need to go crazy here — but having a good multivitamin that your senior takes, along with a healthy dose of Vitamin C and D3 have been proven to help with a strong immune system. It’s good to also have on hand a good supply of ibuprofen or Tylenol.
How can I help them keep things clean?
- We are strong proponents for using products that are sustainable, however in certain cases like now, using added measures like disinfectant cleaners can be very helpful. Try adding rubbing alcohol to your household cleaner to ramp up its ability to kill germs. It’s an inexpensive fix that helps you not have to buy all new products, and you can feel fairly confident that it is doing a significantly better job. Word of caution: Do NOT add rubbing alcohol to anything that has bleach in it — (i.e. Clorox or Ajax cleanser, etc.) Also, make sure that the area you are using it in is well ventilated and free from flames. In addition, if the surface has a varnished finish, do not use.
8. How can I help them stay active?
One of the biggest concerns is that if left to their own devices they may sit in a chair for hours on end and lose strength and stamina! Music is a great way to encourage them to move! If you have a Zoom call regularly, hosting a “dance party” would be a fun way to have you both share something fun together! Encourage them to share in the fun with you! Step outside in the Sunshine we are having these days and take in the fresh air!
Just remember — as the saying goes — “This too shall pass.” It is likely that life is going to be like this for quite a while longer. We are all trying to figure out a new way of living, and as a result, Answers for Elders will be there to help you all along the way.
