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The holidays have always been a time of year when seniors are more susceptible to depression. The loss of loved ones, combined with health or financial problems, weigh heavily on seniors. Couple that with the isolation that COVID-19 imposes and lifting the spirits of a senior loved one becomes even more important for their health and wellbeing this year.

 Follow these tips on lifting your seniors spirts during the holiday to show them how much you care.

1. Family gatherings

Family gatherings bring additional risks for a senior. However, “gatherings” are still possible via video calls and social media. Also, gatherings with a limited number of guests, wearing masks, social distancing, handwashing, and not attending if a person has tested positive for the virus or been exposed to it can mitigate the risk.  Whatever form the gathering takes, the important thing is that it is a time to share the simple joys of the holiday seasons with each other.

2. Enjoying the Christmas lights and displays

Take your loved one on a tour of neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights. Family members can also take videos of their decorations and of the homes decorated in their neighborhoods and share them over a video. It’s a tradition (with a little modification) that can hearken back to Christmas celebrations of the past.

3. Holidays are made for memories

Call your aging loved one or video chat with them. The holidays are the perfect time to reminisce, sharing stories and fun times together from the past.

4. Music festivities

Music is a fantastic mood booster. And while unfortunately attending a holiday concert is not an option, music can be shared in many ways—via social media, dropping off old records or CDs of your senior’s favorite holiday songs, or just singing to or with them over the phone.

5. Send a holiday card

Nothing beats a good old-fashioned card you pick out just for your loved one, with a handwritten note that you mail to let them know you are thinking about them.

6. Pick up the phone and call

It’s a simple gesture, but sometimes, simple gestures mean the most. Update your loved one on what is happening in your life, share how you are preparing for the holidays, and ask how they are doing.

8. Get out and about

We strongly exercise caution about taking a senior out into public places where people are gathered. However, a change of scenery is refreshing for anyone who has been isolated in their home for months. If you can do it safely, such as an open park then it could provide a nice change of pace. Window Swap offers video and sounds of different scenic window views around the world.

For a change of scenery closer to home, send videos or photos of past holiday celebrations to your seniors. Encourage your loved one to change their mental and emotional scenery by pursuing new hobbies, interests and activities. The key is to mentally or emotionally transport them somewhere else for a time to provide them relief from the isolation they have been enduring.

8. Do an activity together

Games, puzzles, and activities abound that you or other family members can play or participate in with your senior. Other options include learning a craft together or create a family history.

9. Decorate

This tradition is definitely worth keeping. Have the senior share what decorating has been done in his or her home. Family members can also share how they have decorated. Swap some decorations to send to each other. Changing the look of an environment can go a long way to improve the mood of the people living in it.

For more information, contact one of our Sales Directors today!

Source:Michael Barber

Now that the holidays are here and many COVID-related restrictions have been lifted across the country, many seniors are feeling ready and anxious to visit with their family.

Unfortunately, older adults are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 than their younger counterparts, which has made it difficult for seniors to safely visit family and grandchildren during the pandemic. Though it may be risky for older adults to spend time with their younger loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic, visits during the holidays can still be made possible if everyone takes the necessary precautions to stay safe and limit their exposure to the virus.

Here are steps your family can take when you’re ready to visit with your loved ones and other older relatives during COVID-19 holidays.

Assess the COVID-19 Risk for the Grandparents

Before arranging any visits with grandparents, assess the possible COVID-19 risk based on age and on whether your relatives have any underlying medical conditions that may further increase their risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. The CDC reports that people aged 85 and older face the greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and that 8 in 10 COVID-19-related deaths in the U.S. have been among adults aged 65 and older.

Your older relatives may be at even higher risk of severe illness COVID-19 if they have pre-existing conditions. If your loved ones are over the age of 65 and/or have one or more underlying medical conditions, you may want to reassess whether it’s a good idea to visit in person during the holidays in 2020.

Take COVID-19 Precautions Two Weeks Beforehand

Symptoms of COVID-19 can show up anywhere between 2 and 14 days after exposure, which means that if you’ve been exposed to the virus a few days before visiting your loved one, you may have COVID-19 and not even know it yet—putting your relatives at risk.

Try to limit your exposure to COVID-19 as best you can two weeks before your scheduled visit. Practice social distancing, wear a face mask, and limit outings or social gatherings. If possible, arrange to work from home to reduce the amount of time you spend near people from outside of your household. That way, when it’s time to visit mom and dad, you know that your chances of spreading COVID-19 are minimal and less likely.

Get Tested For COVID-19 Before the Visit

Consider having your family get tested for COVID-19 before visiting your loved one to confirm everyone is healthy. This will give each family member greater peace of mind. Many cities across the U.S. have sites that offer free COVID tests to anyone who wants one, while some cities are restricting COVID testing only to individuals at high risk for severe illness or who have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Look into local options for getting tested. If COVID testing isn’t available in your local area or you and your family members don’t qualify for testing, assess the infection rates where you live. If you live in a COVID hotspot or in an area where lots of new cases are reported every day, you may want to postpone your visit.

Prepare Your Children

Before visiting their grandparents, talk to your children about how this year’s visit will be different from previous visits in that physical contact will be limited. Your kids may be used to getting lots of hugs, snuggles, and kisses from grandma and grandpa, and may not understand why touching will be limited this year. Educate your kids about COVID-19, and explain the importance of social distancing and wearing face masks to protect their grandparents from the virus.

Travel By Car vs Plane if Possible

Though many airlines are now seating passengers at least 6 feet apart and requiring them to wear face masks, being on an airplane makes it difficult to keep a safe distance from flight attendants and other passengers. If possible, consider traveling by car instead of by plane, which will help limit in-person interactions and close distance with those outside of your household. Pack snacks and meals you can eat on the go (like sandwiches and wraps), and bring gloves and face masks to wear while stopping at restrooms and gas stations.

Make Your Loved One Stay at Home

Some seniors may be feeling antsy after sheltering in place and insist on traveling to visit you instead of letting you travel to them. However, this may be extremely risky for the senior, especially if they need to travel by plane.

Talk to your kids’ grandparents about the potential risks associated with traveling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and insist that your family visit them. The fewer people your relatives come into contact with and the fewer public places they visit, the lower their risk will be for contracting COVID-19.

Practice Social Distancing and Wear Face Masks

Keep in mind that physical contact with anyone outside of your household should be limited to reduce exposure to COVID-19. Greet one another without touching, and continue to practice social distancing and wear face coverings during the entire visit. If you’re visiting during mealtime, eat outside if weather permits. If not, plan to eat before or after your visit, so that you do not have to remove your mask inside while visiting with your loved one. Some people may feel extremely uncomfortable in regards to avoiding all physical contact with their loved ones, which is completely normal. However, taking these precautions will help keep everyone in your family safe and healthy.

Don’t Share Living Spaces

Staying with your relatives when you visit may be fun, convenient, and inexpensive, but doing so is very risky for both your family and parents. Even if you quarantine for 14 days after arriving in town, experts still recommend staying in a nearby hotel or vacation rental to minimize COVID-19 exposure.

Before leaving home, research your options for hotels near your relatives and call the facilities to ask about their safety and sanitation policies related to COVID-19. Ask if your family can stay in a room that has been unoccupied for a few days, and consider cleaning and tidying up the room yourselves instead of allowing housekeeping services to enter the room. Also, avoid using community amenities during your stay such as the gym, hot tub, and swimming pool, as these amenities may not be sanitized as regularly as needed to reduce your exposure to COVID-19.

Limit Activities and Spend Time Outdoors

Most seniors enjoy treating their grandchildren to fun outings such as going to museums, toy stores, and theme parks, but venturing to any public places can increase their risk for contracting COVID-19. Instead of visiting indoor public places or venues that attract large crowds, suggest that everyone limit activities to outdoor venues that provide plenty of free-roaming space.

Go to local parks, visit the zoo, go on hikes or long walks, or have picnics. You could even suggest that your children’s grandparents sit in their vehicles while they watch their grandchildren play outside. Spend as much time outdoors as possible in places where you can easily practice social distancing and avoid large crowds.

Avoid Sharing Utensils and Other Objects

Given how COVID-19 can spread through saliva and from touching contaminated surfaces, take care to avoid sharing utensils, cups, and other objects with grandparents from which COVID-19 can be easily transmitted. To play it extra safe, use disposable plasticware and cups instead of your grandparents’ silverware and dishes.

Consider a Virtual Visit

Many families around the U.S. have started using video apps to visit and spend time with their loved ones from a safe distance. Instead of having an in-person visit, consider having regular phone calls and video conferences.

Host virtual family meals, movie nights, and game nights by pulling up video conferencing sessions that allow you to see and talk with one another during these family events. Suggest that your grandparents read bedtime stories to their grandchildren over the phone or during video chat sessions. You could also send your relatives photos and videos of their grandchildren via email or text.

Virtual visits are an ideal way to spend quality time with your loved ones during COVID-19 until the U.S. achieves herd immunity or develops a safe, effective vaccine. Keep in mind that although virtual visits may not be your preferred way to spend the holidays with your relatives, this may be the safest option for everyone, and may only be necessary for a short time.

For more information, contact one of our Sales Directors today!

Source:Michael Barber