During the Pandemic, How Do You Protect Seniors Who Want to Get Out To Be Social?

After months of isolating, quarantining, and distancing from family and friends, stay-at-home orders are relaxed. Nevertheless, for older adults in particular, can seniors be protected as they try to resume normal activities?

Regrettably, there is no cut-and-dry answer, and a range of criteria must be considered to arrive at the absolute best decision for every single individual to protect seniors. For example:

• What health issues is the senior loved one encountering?
• How challenging has it been for her or him to be isolated from family members?
• Is the incidence rate of the virus subsiding or increasing in your area?

As a family caregiver, the best place to get started is sitting down and having a one-on-one discussion together with the senior. If for example, your senior loved one is adamantly and fervently set on a certain activity, such as for instance seeing the grandchildren or going for a walk in the community park, be sure he or she thoroughly understands the possible risks involved.

Make sure you’re up to date as well on the latest COVID-19 related news from trusted sources on any new precautions and/or recommendations. Look at this information as just one component of your decision-making process, however, rather than an end-all perspective.

Secondly, broach the subject with the senior’s doctor for a professional opinion and also for help with weighing potential risk factors against the benefits associated with increased socialization and engagement in the community. You might also like to check with other members of the family and carefully consider their input as well ahead of making the ultimate decision on exactly how to proceed.

Most importantly, ensure you are doing what is best for your loved one’s overall health and wellbeing, instead of making a snap decision that you may later regret. If you’re still uncertain about what to do, it may be better to refrain from heading out with the senior for now and revisit the matter at a later date. And keep in mind that you always have the option to change your mind if for any reason you are uncomfortable with your first decision.

Whether both you and your family member are at ease with the decision to go out and about, or make the decision to continue staying at home, you can count on JFS Care, a provider of Jewish family health services for seniors in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas. We can help with accompanied transportation, companionship, running errands including grocery shopping, and a variety of other types of help and support, always in compliance with appropriate safety protocols. Give us a call at (213) 383-2273 any time for more info, or to schedule a no cost in-home assessment in Los Angeles, CA and throughout the surrounding areas. Click here to see all of the communities we serve.