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Monday , March 1 , 2021

Brighten the Day for an Isolated Senior

Visits from family and friends are often the only link isolated seniors have to the outside world. Yet now, in the wake of COVID-19, getting together face-to-face is considered unsafe and even dangerous.

Isolation and loneliness – already a problem for so many older adults – have dramatically ramped up worldwide. More than ever, these issues are taking a toll on the homebound, both mentally and physically. In response, we’ve put together this guide with a few ways to help older adults feel a little more connected to the world and their families.

Keep reading for some simple ways to help brighten up someone’s day.

Send a handwritten letter.

COVID-19 has limited our ability to see people face-to-face. Still, notes provide a simple way to maintain a connection – and in the age of email and text messages, receiving a handwritten letter or card in the mailbox is a fun treat. Not much of a writer? Try sending family photographs, interesting articles, or fun recipes instead. It’s more about making an effort than anything else.

Tip: If you want to help even more people, consider sending a note to an organization like Letters of Love. They sends cards and letters to elders all around the world to help ease loneliness.

Organize drive-by visits.

Almost as soon as COVID-19 hit, people started coming up with new and fun ways to stay connected. One of our favorites is the “drive-by party,” in which loved ones and friends drive down the street honking horns, flying banners, and shouting greetings out the window. Traditionally, these are reserved for birthdays, graduations, and other special occasions, but why not set up a drive-by visit for your homebound loved one? It’s sure to brighten their day!

Try a video chat.

Just because you can’t get together with someone in person doesn’t mean you can’t see them! Phone calls and letters are great, but seeing someone’s facial expressions on a video chat creates a more intimate experience. Most seniors have a smartphone or laptop that can be used for Zoom or Skype. If they are interested in trying a video chat but don’t know how, hundreds of online tutorials can help.

Help them pick up a new hobby or get reacquainted with an old one.

Being stuck inside is a great time to learn a new craft or hone a current skill. From painting to scrapbooking to photography, art is one of the best things a senior can do from the comfort of their home. Many older adults also enjoy things like playing games, reading, doing puzzles, or even dancing. As a fun surprise, sign them up for an online class or club that caters to their interests – it will offer the opportunity to learn something new and a chance to socialize with others.

Run errands or help with chores.

Many older adults have trouble running errands on their own, even under the best of circumstances. These days, due to social distancing, restrictions placed on businesses, and other factors, it can be even more difficult. So whether you’re picking up takeout and dropping it off or making sure your loved one gets their prescription refill from the pharmacy, the effort is sure to be appreciated.

Final thoughts

Being thoughtful doesn’t require a lot of time, effort, or money. A small, simple gesture is all it takes to let someone know that you’re thinking about them and to brighten their day. Tell us, how do you show your older loved ones that you care?

Tags: Aging, coronavirus, covid-19, elderly, family, older adult, senior, senior care

Posted in: Aging

Aging in Place Safely After COVID-19

Now that we’ve made it through almost a full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are pondering the best way to care for their aging parents. Like many adult children, you may find that your own older parents are suffering from diminished reflexes and other health problems that leave them prone to accidents.

In the past, that may have meant taking up residence in a nursing home – but news of the rapid spread of illness in such facilities has left many people wary. In fact, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care, overall nursing home occupancy dropped from 83.4 to 74.8 percent in 2020.

The alternative? Aging in place.

Most seniors report that, given the choice, they’d like to grow old in their own home, surrounded by their treasured possessions and cherished memories. But now, more than ever, it’s important that these older adults have a support network in place.

Keep reading for our best tips on safety and support modifications that can help give you and your loved one peace of mind, during COVID-19 and beyond.

Physical changes to the home
About one in four adults aged 65+ falls each year: Many seniors have sensory impairments, like poor hearing and vision, or a physical limitation that contributes to this risk. To help create a safe environment, consider:

A stairlift or electronic chair lift
Handheld shower hoses
Shower benches
Raised toilet seats
Wider doors for wheelchair access
Ramps to replace (or in addition to) stairs leading into the home
Better lighting (a typical 85-year old needs three times more lightthan a teen)
Placing commonly used items where they can be reached without stopping or reaching
Grab bars wherever necessary (they’re not just for the bathroom!)

Nutritional support
Maintaining a nutrient-dense diet is important in older adults, yet many of them have a hard time preparing their own meals or even eating on their own. Here’s how to help them get the nutrition they need:

Arrange for more meals to be provided by family members or friends
Stock the fridge with protein-rich foods and meal-replacement shakes
Sign up for a meal delivery service
Contact Meals on Wheels or a similar programif you are unable to help on your own
Show your loved one how to use an online grocery shopping app
Ask their doctor about switching medications which may suppress appetite

Medication monitoring
According to a recent national survey, one in four Americans over the age of 65 take between 10 and 19 pills a day. That’s a lot to keep track of! How can you help?

Sign up for prescription delivery
Schedule reminder phone calls
Purchase an automatic dispenser with an alarm
Routinely clean out the medicine cabinet and get rid of expired or discontinued medications
Use separate medicine cabinets if more than one person is living in the home
Make sure a step stool isn’t needed to reach those cabinets
Save all of the written information that comes with the medications in one place

Transportation assistance
Without a reliable way to get to doctor appointments or go grocery shopping, seniors can’t realistically stay in their homes as they age. It’s essential that affordable transportation be available to help them maintain their independence. Options include:

Local senior centers
County public transportation
State Department of Health and Senior Services
Family and friends
Volunteers from a church or synagogue
Ride-sharing services (there are several options just for seniors)
And for those in our local area, there are these two fantastic choices:

– Middlesex County Area Transit (MCAT)

– Somerset County para-transit services and community transportation

Help with household chores
Due to pain, illness, injury, or other health issues, many older adults can no longer complete certain chores on their own. These tend to be the most difficult:

Carrying hampers or laundry baskets
Making the bed
Taking the trash or recycling to the curb
Cleaning the floors
Scouring the bathroom
Organizing/dusting high shelves

Services that come to the home
Today, many healthcare and personal care services can be provided in-home to help extend a senior’s independence, including:

Doctors who make house calls (even simple x-rays can be completed in the home!)
Traveling podiatrists and dentists
Hairdressers and nail technicians
Mobile pet grooming and veterinary services

COVID-19 safety
These days, more than ever, safety is of the utmost importance. While helping your older loved ones set up systems to keep them safely at home, it’s vital to keep their health and wellbeing top of mind.

If outside vendors or care providers will be entering the home, make sure everyone wears a mask the entire time and uses hand sanitizer as necessary. Whenever possible, set up no-contact delivery for goods such as groceries or takeout – most businesses are happy to leave deliveries on the porch and ring the bell. And always set up tele visits or video calls for appointments when it’s offered as an option!

Final thoughts
Planning ahead is the key to helping older adults live their lives to the fullest. A strong support system and adequate safety measures can keep your loved one independent for a longer time.

For many seniors, in-home care is the right answer. If you or a loved one are considering in-home care services, we can provide non-medical support and assistance to adults with disabilities or those recovering from an illness or surgical procedure. In addition, home care services often complement other types of care someone may already be receiving in their home, such as hospice or skilled home health care.

Tags: aging in place, Caregivers, coronavirus, covid-19, Home Care, home health aide, older adult, senior care

Posted in: Aging

How Does “Long Covid” Affect Seniors?

By now, we all know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. But many people, especially seniors, are experiencing symptoms that aren’t typical – and those symptoms can last for quite some time.

Here’s what you need to know about COVID-19 infections in older adults and what to expect in the long run:

COVID-19 in Older Adults

Senior citizens don’t always display the same signs and symptoms of a coronavirus infection as younger adults. Instead, seniors may just seem “off” or like they’re not acting like themselves. They may sleep more or less than usual, stop eating, or appear confused. They may become dizzy or stop speaking. They may even collapse.

Because seniors often have underlying health conditions to begin with, it may not be obvious that these atypical symptoms are the cause of COVID-19. Unfortunately, missing the early signs of COVID, or attributing them to something else, can stop your older loved one from getting the proper care. In addition, people may go in and out of their homes without adequate protection measures, further spreading the infection.

Ongoing Effects

As many people have learned, the troublesome effects of COVID-19 don’t necessarily stop after you’ve tested “negative.” This is especially true for older adults.

Many seniors who’ve become critically ill from the coronavirus report an ongoing “brain fog” – difficult putting thoughts together or problems with concentration – even after the virus has subsided. This can make it challenging to plan out their day-to-day activities, remember appointments, or even have a conversation.

Other reported issues include muscle and nerve damage, continued shortness of breath, lethargy and fatigue, and depression or anxiety.

According to Dr. Zijian Chen, medical director of the Center for Post-COVID Care at Mount Sinai Health System, while many younger adults experience these same issues, seniors tend to have “more severe symptoms, and more limitations in terms of what they can do.”

Recovery for older adults may take months, not weeks. Many of those who were critically ill may still feel unwell after a year or more and can require rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or cognitive rehabilitation.

A Long Road Ahead

Researchers have found that frailty, a clinical condition caused by lack of reserves or energy, leaves those recovering from COVID-19 at risk for sudden changes in health and a higher risk of needing hospitalization or long-term care.

Older adults, especially, may suffer from Post-intensive Care Syndrome – a group of psychological, cognitive, and physical disabilities that may develop after treatment in the intensive care unit.

To help combat these ill effects, doctors suggest starting various therapies as soon as a COVID-19 infection is discovered. Treatments to assess lung capacity, improve cough effectiveness, and increase trunk muscle strength may help reduce the care needed later and lead to less pain.

They note that an emphasis on recovery and rehabilitation is significant for seniors because there is often a limited window in which they can improve. Once muscle strength, function, and flexibility are lost, they can be exceedingly difficult to restore.

While recuperating from COVID-19 may be challenging for our nation’s seniors, it’s not impossible. Catching the virus early in combination with the appropriate therapies can help facilitate a quicker and more complete recovery.

ComForCare can help make the recovery process more manageable. Our in-home care specialists are not only highly qualified, but they’re also kind and compassionate – and whether your loved one requires 24-hour care or only a ride to the doctor, we’ve got you covered. Reach out today to learn more.

Tags: coronavirus, covid-19, elderly, grandma, Health, older adult, wellness

Posted in: Health