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Mar 9

Common Sense Ways To Protect Aging Parents From Coronavirus And Still Keep Them Engaged – Forbes

Some folks dismiss the seriousness of the COVID-19 outbreak as no big deal. Others get panicky and think everyone will get it. Neither is true. The National Council on Aging, a reliable resource for and about older adults, provides this information for those with aging loved ones.

Life doesnt stop for older adults who are at risk, but it does need to include very regular hand washing, avoiding crowds, and paying attention to any early warning signs such as fever, cough or shortness of breath. If your aging parent has chronic health conditions, you, the adult child can ensure that he or she has a supply of all prescription medications on hand in case quarantine becomes necessary. It might! Keeping supplies available also means having adequate food on hand, and other things your loved one uses regularly, such as oxygen or other medical equipment. Plan for two weeks worth if you are involved.

Quarantined elders can connect with you digitially

If your aging parent is in a seniors community, such as assisted living, ask the director what precautions are being taken there. If you are not satisfied that enough is being done, speak up and advocate for your loved one. If you have an aging parent in a nursing home (aka rehab facility), check on your aging parent daily and speak with the administration daily about any signs of COVID-19 illness in that facility. Infectious diseases such as the novel coronavirus can spread quickly in a place where many vulnerable older people live in proximity to one another.

Necessary as it is, isolating or having to quarantine our aging parents comes with a price. Many seniors social connections provide the enjoyment they need for a fulfilling life. Depression can result in their feeling cut off from what they like to do, whether its playing bingo, attending lectures, or being part of a club or senior center. You can help by offering frequent telephone or other contact. You can help them set up movies, music or other entertainment at home. If theyve never done a video chat, now could be a time to show them how its done. Explore innovative devices that can make it simpler for elders who may not be fully computer literate to use an iPad or one like it to chat with family, see photos or otherwise connect digitally. No computer needed. Getting one for them or demonstrating how to use such a device can help ward off the depressive effect of being cut off from fun because of self-isolation.

The National Council on Aging has a variety of exercise plans a person can do at home even if chair-bound or frail. Telephone or video-based home exercise programs could fill some of the empty hours an elder may have to spend when avoiding social events.

Whatever you can offer, it will be worth your effort to help keep your aging parents safe at home and not feeling completely deprived of enjoyable things to do.

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Common Sense Ways To Protect Aging Parents From Coronavirus And Still Keep Them Engaged - Forbes

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