Helping Seniors Cope as the Pandemic Continues

It’s been approximately six months since the coronavirus pandemic has caused as all to pause. Social distancing and face masks are now a normal part of our routines. Education has mostly turned to virtual learning, while many workers continue to work from home. The year 2020 has been difficult for many of us, including seniors. While many older adults haven’t had to juggle e-learning and a full-time job during the pandemic, they have had to make their own sacrifices in order to stay safe and healthy.

As the pandemic continues, seniors remain the most vulnerable population for complications surrounding the coronavirus. This means that they need to exercise the utmost precaution every day. Many have chosen to remain safe at home, even as the rest of society returns to their new normal. Some have lost their support network or social connections, as they can’t visit with friends and family as freely as they could a year ago. As the pandemic continues, it can be challenging for some older adults to cope or find hope. If this is true for you, here are a few tips to help you cope as the pandemic continues.

Stay Connected

It’s critical for seniors to stay connected as the pandemic continues. Check out virtual hangouts or classes for seniors via your local library or senior center. Stay connected to your place of worship by viewing online services or attending outdoor worship as you feel comfortable. If you’re feeling fatigued from video calls, stay connected through telephone calls or snail mail. Get together outdoors with close family or friends that you trust are following COVID-19 precautions. Prioritizing social connections during the pandemic will help you cope more than watching television all day.

Engage in Hobbies

Another way to cope as the pandemic continues is to engage in hobbies. When the pandemic first began, many older adults turned to old hobbies in order to help them cope. Now that it’s been over half a year since the onset of the pandemic, some seniors have lost interest in their hobbies. Yet, engaging your mind will help you stay focused and positive. Hobbies offer you an outlet to express creativity and prevent your mind from growing bored. If you are tired of a hobby, learn something new.

Practice Mindfulness

As the pandemic continues, it’s the perfect opportunity for older adults to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness, put simply, is bringing awareness to your present thoughts and emotions and accepting and acknowledging those feelings or thoughts. Find a quiet, comfortable space and set a timer for ten minutes. During those ten minutes, focus on your breath while letting your thoughts and feelings flow freely. When a thought or feeling comes to mind, pause, acknowledge it, then let it go. Another way to practice mindfulness is to journal for a few minutes each day. Writing out your thoughts or feelings helps you process them.

Seek Help

Know when it’s time for you to reach out for help and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Recognize that it’s normal to have bouts of sadness or disappointment as the pandemic continues. What isn’t normal is experiencing continual feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, or disappointment. If you haven’t felt like yourself in some time, perhaps it’s time you have a conversation with your doctor. Your primary care physician can screen and monitor for signs of depression, and recommend the best treatment based on your circumstances. In addition to talking with your doctor, it’s important to talk with a trusted friend or family member about your feelings. Let them know about your struggles so they can support you as you seek the help you need.

If you are an older adult in need of help as the coronavirus pandemic continues, please know that Visiting Angels Fort Worth is here for you. We offer a variety of home care services that allow seniors to remain safe and comfortable in their own home. In addition to light housekeeping, assistance with laundry, grooming, and meal planning and preparation, we also offer companion care. Our caregivers offer a friendly face and companionship as they assist you in the comfort of your own home. They can help you stay connected with friends and family or help you get set up so that you can attend virtual hangouts for seniors. They can play games or engage in your favorite hobbies with you, reigniting your passion for your favorite pastimes. They can even lend a listening ear if you need to talk or express your feelings. Please do not wait until this pandemic is over to get the help that you need. Getting started is as easy as contacting our office at 817-877-1616.