Taking Care Of Your Aging Parents During COVID-19 Pandemic
Find out more about how you can take care of your aging parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even as we welcome another year with joy and hopefulness, the lingering impact of COVID-19 can still be felt around us. The phenomenon truly made a significant mark in our lives. Along the way, many of us lost loved ones, making 2020 all the more difficult years.
For those of us whose loved ones have made it through, we have this persistent feeling that we should do more to comfort them. With that said, let us take a look at how we can further show support to our elderly parents as we journey through another year stricken with COVID-19 with vaccines not too far from the horizon.
Extra Care During The COVID-19 Pandemic
As we grow older, so do our parents. Coming to terms with our aging parents is crucial. Unlike before, during their younger years, when they could almost do everything on their own without assistance, they would need our help now, even with the most minute task.
Our parents are still our parents. They deserve all the respect, compassion, and care we could give. Even when they are in good health as of the moment, the threat of COVID-19 still lingering reminds us that we still need to take measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our elderly parents.
Thus, here are eight tips on how we can take care of our aging parents amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Covid-19: 8 Ways to Care for Our Elderly Parents
Caregiving From A Distance
Caring for our aging parents has become a lot more complicated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, it is still important. But with all the social distancing regulations, how can we ensure their health and comfort without putting them at risk? One simple solution is by caregiving from a distance.
Thanks to digital technology, there are now a myriad of ways for us to keep our parents safe, well-fed, healthy, and loved without even stepping inside their homes. Apart from providing hospice care at home, you could schedule a daily video call and send a weekly care package for them.
Constant Communication
Older people tend to feel more isolated. With forced shelter taking place, the elderly are all the more at risk. Although nothing can replace kisses, hugs, laughs, and shared meals, digital technology helps us keep in touch much easier. Call your parents at least once a day talks with them and see how they’re doing.
Make Them Feel Important
Apart from having daily conversations, put a smile on your elderly parents’ faces with these activities to help them combat loneliness and depression:
- Cooking your parents their favorite dish every weekend;
- Asking your parents to cook their “family classic” dishes for you and your children;
- Curbside visits as a family at least once a week; or,
- Buying them takeout dinner from their favorite restaurant.
These simple acts of kindness to your aging parents is something they will remember for a long time.
Encourage Social Activity
Despite being physically isolated, your parents can have a vibrant social life during this pandemic. Encourage them to stay connected by migrating their offline activities online. They may join online book clubs or sign up for senior exercise classes. The choices are endless!
Arrange Delivery Service
Due to lack of transportation, social distancing, and reduced mobility, older adults have more difficulty shopping for groceries. What you can do for your parents is to help them go through their grocery lists and arrange delivery service for them. You may even include setting up a prescription medicine delivery with your local pharmacy. If your parents live in a different state, for example, in Georgia, you can also help them by getting COVID-19 tests delivered to their home with services that offer COVID testing in Atlanta. In-home tests are a safe option since your parents won’t need to risk accidental exposure to the virus at a traditional clinic or drive-through center.
Manage Home Security
Most seniors who live on their own tend to be victims of burglary, fraud, and abuse as compared to the general population. Nonetheless, with the advancements in home security technology, we can ensure the protection of our ageing parents even when we are away.
Plan for Medical Emergencies
As people age, they tend to be more prone to accidents and other medical emergencies. Fortunately, healthcare technology today makes it possible to summon assistance even without a phone. You may consider installing devices to summon help or buy your parents an auto fall detection watch.
Embrace Smart Home Technology
Consider embracing smart home technology for your elderly parents’ dwelling. Not only will it make household management easier, but you can easily monitor your parents from a distance. Now you no longer have to worry about whether your parents have turned off their appliances or if they have locked their doors.
Summing Up
Despite the social distancing regulations still going on, do not let this lead to being emotionally distant from your parents. Continue looking after their needs and pamper them while they are still around in this world.