How Our In-Home Care Providers Encourage Social Distancing for Seniors in Annapolis, MD and Surrounding Areas
Here’s how our in-home care providers can help seniors in Millersville, Annapolis, Pasadena, Arnold, Glen Burnie and surrounding areas in Maryland follow social distancing guidelines
After months of following public health recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, you may have noticed that people in Anne Arundel County are becoming less vigilant about social distancing. This “quarantine fatigue” is a problem for those who are at a high risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, like older adults.
Seniors often want to social distance but may feel pressure from friends and family to get in close contact with the people in their lives. There are also some seniors who may be reluctant to socially distance because it prevents them from doing what they love. The lack of social distancing causes stress for family members and professional in-home care providers who strive to protect seniors from the coronavirus.
Visiting Angels Annapolis can help you find strategies to make social distancing easier for your senior loved one, as well as provide elder care services to help them stay safe during the pandemic.
Establish a Coronavirus Safety Plan
In order to create an effective safety plan during the coronavirus outbreak, you should set firm limits about which activities are safe for your older loved one and which are not. Consider consulting a physician or doing research on the internet to find the best ways to keep your loved one safe.
For example, a safety plan may include:
- Maintaining six feet of physical separation between seniors and visitors at all times
- Avoiding indoor visits from family or friends; allow outdoor visits only
- Wearing a mask when with visitors, even outdoors
- Not sharing food or drinks with others
- Washing hands or using hand sanitizer when entering/exiting gatherings or public areas
Remember to share your plan with family, friends, neighbors and any senior in-home care providers you hire so that everyone can respect your loved one’s boundaries.
Use Technology to Stay Connected
The Social Care program from Visiting Angels Annapolis helps seniors use social media, smartphones, emails and texting to connect with loved ones. A social care strategy offers family and friends an alternative to spending time with your senior loved one and encourages them to respect their health and safety boundaries.
Be Honest About Your Concerns
When it comes to protecting your older loved one, honesty is the best policy. If family or friends want to visit but you are uncomfortable about the risk of the coronavirus, share your concerns in a respectful, non-judgmental way.
Use statements that begin with “I”. For example, “I worry that an indoor visit with Grandma may increase her chances of getting sick.” Practice positive, assertive communication. If family and friends care about your loved one, they will understand your concerns.
Suggest Alternatives to In-Person Socializing
When in-person visits are not possible, be creative about connecting via phone calls or social technology. Take time to reassure your loved one that their health and happiness are your top priority. You may start to feel like the “social distancing police,” but your preset safety plan can simplify safe socializing rules for friends and family.
At Visiting Angels Annapolis, our in-home care providers can help your loved one adjust to the "new normal," and stay safe. Our elder care services allow seniors to stay home as much as possible in order to avoid the likelihood of catching COVID-19. Our caregivers also follow health and safety protocols from public health experts to ensure the safety and well-being of our clients.
To learn how our in-home care providers can help your loved one during this difficult time, contact our Millersville, MD office at 410-505-5141.