Seniors are the ones being affected the most by coronavirus, so is the safest thing to do is avoid all forms of contact? Governments are recommending no non-essential contact with others, so what advice should you follow?
For more information read our post on – What Seniors Need to Know About Coronavirus: https://www.fairmontgrandseniorliving.com/blog/what-seniors-need-to-know-about-coronavirus/
Should You Visit Your Senior Loved One?
Groups particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 – such as those over the age of 70 – should stay at home for 12 weeks. If you are visiting an elderly relative for an essential purpose, you should keep your distance, preferably at least 3ft apart, no kissing and hugging, and hand hygiene practices are incredibly important.
The best way to protect people you come into contact with is to protect yourself by washing your hands well and use sanitizer gel when it is not possible to wash. If people are worried about visiting the elderly at home, they can always maintain contact via the phone, post or online.
Senior Living Staying Aware
People must not visit relatives in care homes under any circumstances. Especially, anyone who has a new continuous cough or high temperature should not visit care homes and should instead self-isolate. People who are “generally unwell” should also stay away from care homes.
Fairmont Grand Senior Living
For the protection of our valued residents and the safety of our staff, at the recommendation of the South Dakota Dept of Health, the following protocols for residents and visitors are as follows:
Visitors:
We are not allowing visitors at this time
to protect your loved ones from COVID-19.
Thank you for understanding.
Residents:
Facility protection action
- Ask your family members or friends to avoid visiting you for the time being. We know this is difficult, but this virus has been shown to have dire consequences for older adults and those with underlying health conditions.
- Ask the staff about other ways you can communicate with your loved ones, whether by phone, video or social media.
- If there are individuals, such as an immediate family member, who need to come see you, let the facility know.
- Follow everyday preventive actions such as:
- Washing your hands or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers
- Covering your cough and sneezes
- Ask other individuals (including staff) to avoid touching you with handshakes, hugs or kisses. Ask them to wash their hands. Do not be shy! It’s okay to remind people.
- If you begin to experience coughing, sneezing or a fever, tell a staff member immediately.
Maintaining a Positive Mind is the Most Important
It can be as simple as putting up photos of people you care about or limiting the time you read the news.
Other examples can be:
- stay active by cleaning, dancing, or doing seated exercises
- get as much sunlight and fresh air as they can
- join an online support community
There are also steps to help prevent loneliness in those avoiding contact or staying at home.
Those staying at home should make sure they find time to do things they enjoy, such as watching TV, reading, writing, art or cooking. Ensuring you feel stimulated and have fun protects against loneliness and improves your general wellbeing. Remember there are other ways to connect with friends and family – for example, phone, email, social media. Talking to people about your worries, about feeling lonely, or simply just about your day, helps.
A Helping Hand
Some practical ways to help your senior loved one are running errands on their behalf or picking up medication and groceries for them. Families need to make sure elderly people have the supplies they need, but a balanced approach rather than panicked stockpiling. Both the government and supermarkets have urged people not to stockpile goods.
Since visiting residents in senior homes isn’t possible at the moment, you can spend time together in other ways – setting up a family group chat or playing games online. If online communication isn’t possible, never underestimate the value of a regular simple phone call to offer social contact and support.
This is the time that our senior population needs our love and support more than ever – Provide them with reassurance.
Fairmont Grand Senior Living Community
Fairmont Grand is a resident centered senior living and memory care facility in Rapid City, SD. Our goal is to create an environment where resident well-being is at the heart of everything we do.
Our wide range of services are designed to meet you or your loved one’s daily needs. We offer restaurant style dining options, a variety of physical activities, and give residents the opportunity to live as independently as possible.
If you or a loved one near Rapid City, South Dakota are considering assisted living or memory care, contact Fairmont Grand to learn more about individualized living options or tour our community.
