Tuesday, 14 April 2020

How can we look after our elderly loved ones when we can't see them?

With our seniors the most at risk of falling severely ill due to Covid-19, the importance of social distancing cannot be emphasised enough. If your elderly loved one is in the care of a live-in caregiver or being cared for at an elderly care facility, you may be forced to steer clear of in-person visits for a while in order to ensure their safety. Here are some tips on how to look after an elderly relative even when you cannot be there to do so in person throughout these trying times.

Check in regarding safety measures

Obviously, the most important thing to do is to find out precisely what precautions your relative's caregivers have put in place to adequately safeguard them from falling victim to the virus. Are they washing both their own and your relative's hands with soap and water frequently? Are they avoiding leaving the house or caring facility at all costs?

Stay connected

If finances allow, consider buying your loved one a digital device so that you can enjoy video calls on a daily basis. The caregiver may be able to teach them how to use it or play a bigger role in facilitating communication in the case that your relative is suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's Disease.

Get the family together

The entire family is likely feeling the void of not being able to see or spend time with their elderly loved ones. Now is a great time to organise a virtual visit and to share special memories. You can even pull out the old photo album and reminisce about the good times. You will all bring comfort to each other during this difficult period and help to keep one another positive in the knowledge that you will be together again soon enough.

Remind yourself what matters most

There will be times when you start to feel resentful and depressed about not being able to visit your loved one. However, it is important to remind yourself why you are keeping your distance. Covid-19 is extremely dangerous to individuals over the age of 65 and those with weakened immune systems. At this point, the only thing that matters is keeping your elderly relatives healthy and out of harm’s way. Take comfort in knowing that they are well looked after by a highly trained professional live-in-carer during these difficult times. Don’t try to visit in person, it simply isn’t worth the risk.

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