How Senior Home Care Services from Visiting Angels McKinney Encourage Social Distancing for Older Adults in Collin County, TX
Here’s how our senior home care services can help elderly and high-risk adults in McKinney, Allen, Frisco, Plano and surrounding areas in Collin County, TX socially distance while continuing to do the things they love
After months of following public health recommendations to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, you may have noticed that some people in Collin County are becoming less vigilant about social distancing. This “quarantine fatigue” is 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. The lack of social distancing causes stress for families and for companies that provide professional senior home care services because they strive to protect seniors from the coronavirus.
At Visiting Angels McKinney, we can suggest several strategies to make social distancing easier for your loved one.
Create a Safety Plan
Set firm limits about which activities are safe for your older loved one and which are not. You can consult a physician or do research strategies to develop a social distancing plan online.
For example, your safety plan may include:
- Maintain six feet of physical separation between seniors and visitors at all times
- Avoid indoor visits from family or friends; allow outdoor visits only
- Wear a mask when with visitors, even outdoors
- Don’t share food or drinks with others
- Wash hands or use hand sanitizer when entering/exiting gatherings or public areas
Don’t forget to share your plan with family, friends, neighbors and those you’ve hired to provide senior home care services so that everyone knows your loved one’s boundaries.
Use Technology to Stay in Touch
The Social Care program from Visiting Angels McKinney helps seniors use social media, smartphones, emails and texting to connect with friends and family. A social care strategy may make it easier for friends and family to respect your loved one’s health and safety boundaries while continuing to give them an opportunity 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 feel like the “social distancing police,” but creating a safety plan can simplify safe socializing rules for friends and family.
Visiting Angels McKinney can help your loved one adjust to the "new normal," maintain a healthy and happy routine and strive to prevent illness.
To learn how our senior home care services can help your loved one stay safe, contact our McKinney, TX office at 214-491-1999.