How Our Personal Home Care Providers Encourage Seniors in Eldersburg, MD and Surrounding Areas to Social Distance
At Visiting Angels, our personal home care services make it easier for seniors in Eldersburg, Westminster, Columbia, Baltimore, Ellicott City, Randallstown and surrounding areas in Maryland to follow social distancing guidelines
After months of following public health recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, some people in Carroll, Howard and Baltimore Counties are becoming less vigilant about social distancing. This “quarantine fatigue” is becoming a problem, especially for older adults.
Seniors often want to social distance because COVID-19 can be more dangerous to them due to other health complications. However, they may start to feel lonely because they can’t be with friends and family as often. The lack of social distancing causes stress for families and professional personal home care providers who strive to protect seniors from the coronavirus.
At Visiting Angels Eldersburg, we can help you create strategies to help your loved one follow social distancing guidelines without negatively impacting their quality of life.
Establish a Coronavirus Safety Plan
Set firm limits about which activities are safe for your older loved one and which are not. Consult a physician or do research on the internet to develop a social distancing plan.
For example, your loved one’s 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
- Avoid 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 personal home care providers you hire so that everyone is aware of your loved one’s boundaries.
Use Technology to Connect Loved Ones
The Social Care program from Visiting Angels Eldersburg helps seniors use social media, smartphones, emails, texting and other technologies to connect with friends and family. A social care strategy may help friends and family respect your loved one’s health and safety boundaries while giving them an option to stay in touch.
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 your loved one and 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.
Create Alternatives to In-Person Socializing
When in-person visits are not possible, be creative about connecting via phone calls or social technology. Reassure your loved one that their health and happiness are your top priority. You may begin to feel like the “social distancing police,” but your preset safety plan can simplify safe socializing rules for friends and family.
At Visiting Angels Eldersburg, our personal home care providers can help your loved one adjust to the "new normal," maintain a healthy, happy routine and strive to prevent illness.
To learn how our personal home care services can help your loved one stay safe, contact our Eldersburg, MD office at 410-549-8002.