People of all ages are being impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.  However, aging adults are in the high risk category for potential COVID-19 complications. That’s why family members and friends need to be proactive in supporting seniors during this unprecedented time.

How to Help Aging Adults

How are your loved ones coping with social distancing? In California, everyone is under a “Shelter in Place” order. These aging adults are even more isolated than before. We all need to be more proactive in caring for aging parents and senior neighbors to ensure that their physical and mental needs are being met.

Here are a few tips to help aging adults, provided by the CDC:

  • Keep Older Adults Informed: Many aging adults aren’t aware of the changing circumstances because they aren’t online or checking the news. It’s important to talk to your parents and aging family members about current recommendations to protect against the dangers of this virus.
  • Phone Instead of In-Person Visits: One of the most difficult aspects of social distancing is the recommendation to avoid in-person interactions with people outside of your immediate household. Seniors in retirement communities can no longer receive visitors. Even those living at home shouldn’t be inviting others inside. As such, phone conversations are more important than ever to check on a person’s well-being. Additionally, it is important for caregivers to follow CDC recommendations for minimizing exposure to the virus.
  • Outside Care: Encourage your aging parents to stay at home instead of visiting the grocery store and other locations. Family members can assist with grocery delivery, coordinating telemedicine appointments, and arranging other services as needed.
  • Monitoring Symptoms: Finally, it’s important to watch for symptoms in yourself and others. If you suspect that you might have Coronavirus or you may have been exposed, you should self-quarantine for 14 days. Talk to your loved ones about potential symptoms to determine if medical attention is required. Coronavirus often causes shortness of breath, fever, body aches, and fatigue.

Even though social distancing is recommended, families and neighbors should still be safely checking on seniors to minimize the risk of elder neglect and abuse. For more information, Senior Safe and Sound can be reached at info@SeniorSafeAndSound.org or by calling 858-480-7551.

This information is intended to inform the public at large about this important issue. It is not intended to serve as legal or medical advice.