How to Talk to Seniors in Annapolis, MD and Surrounding Areas About COVID-19 Precautions

Here are some tips on discussing proper COVID-19 precautions and the benefits of working with local elderly home care services during this time with seniors in Annapolis, Millersville, Pasadena, Arnold, Glen Burnie and surrounding areas in Maryland

Although all of our lives are changing due to COVID-19 outbreak, seniors are those who have been most affected by the virus. Since older adults are at a higher risk of getting severely ill from it, staying at home has become a priority. Not being able to leave their homes and watching the news about the pandemic has left many seniors stressed and anxious. On the other hand, family members have become more worried about the well-being of their elderly loved ones.

Hiring professional elderly home care services from Visiting Angels Annapolis is one way to ensure your parent’s health, but talking to them and making them understand why COVID-19 is a cause for concern is also important.

Get the Facts About Seniors and COVID-19

Before you sit down with your loved one and talk to them about the pandemic and ways they can protect themselves, it is important to get your facts straight. Therefore, arm yourself with information from reliable sources, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or state health departments.

Understand Your Loved One’s Position About the Coronavirus

If your loved one is refusing to take COVID-19 seriously and change their behavior in any way, it is important to talk to them and understand their point of view. Start your conversation by asking your parent about the pandemic, what they’ve heard about it and what they are doing to protect their health. Their response might surprise you. For example, seniors who suffer from memory loss may not remember what they’ve heard about COVID-19, while others may be convinced that the virus cannot hard them because they never get sick. Understanding your loved one’s point of view and figuring out the reasons for their behavior can help you develop a wise persuasion strategy.

Make Your Case

Getting angry, putting too much pressure on your loved one, badgering them or talking down to them can be a recipe for a disaster. Instead, try to use the right tone, and make sure they understand that you are only concerned about their well-being. Listen to your parent’s concerns and address each of them. If your loved one doesn’t want to stay at home because they wish to socialize, tell them about how elderly home care services from Visiting Angels Annapolis can help them stay in touch with people they care about during social distancing. If they do not want to miss their favorite activities, find the alternatives together. In case they are worried about being able to obtain supplies, our elderly home care services can include helping with grocery shopping so our caregivers can bring your parent everything they need.

Be Open to Two-Way Communication

Make sure your parent knows you are there for them and that they can turn to you every time they have some questions and doubts about the virus.

If you wish to learn more about our elderly home care services and ways we can help you during this difficult situation, please call our office in Millersville, MD, today.