Caregiving Tips for Helping Older Adults Through COVID-19

At Senior Stay or Go, we continue to try to provide as much information as possible to our clients and colleagues. Today we are talking to Julie Sugita, a Professional Fiduciary and President of PFAC. We are talking about how we can be creative in working through the current Coronavirus situation.

It’s important to be aware of how critical it is to be cautious in care, especially for our seniors.

How to Deal with Lockdown

Julie explained what she is doing to deal with the situation – working with both her own clients and caregivers.

Caregiving needs vary depending on the mental and physical health of each person. For example, someone with dementia won’t understand why changes are happening with social visits. But other people who are a bit more independent can adjust with phone calls at home instead of in-person visits.

One problem is that people lose their interest in eating when they aren’t spending time with other people. Food is such a social experience, which means that caregivers need to look for ways to enrich the person’s life to help them feel more interested in food. 

For example, one facility is spreading out the mealtime, so there is longer service for food. Residents can be socially distanced, while still being in an environment with other people around them.

Social Ideas for Connecting with Loved Ones

Even if family members are not able to visit loved ones face-to-face, there are things that can be done to lift their spirits and say hello. Some families are visiting bringing balloons to the person’s window. This moment can brighten someone’s day and help them remember that they are loved.

For those who are comfortable using technology, Zoom, Skype, or Facetime can be great options. Some of the facilities have nurses or employees who can help the person set up the computer to video chat with family. 

There are many ways that we can interact with seniors, and each situation should be catered to the unique needs of the person. If the patient has the cognitive ability to understand the situation, then it is important to explain the situation and help them understand the reason why their daily activities have changed.

At Greenwald & Gerke, we are providing tips to help you and your family members enjoy the best life possible. We specialize in real estate services in retirement, and we are always here to assist if you need support: (844) 782-9674.

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