Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Discussing COVID-19 Precautions With Our Elders

Are you looking for In Home Elder Care in North NJ? Applause Home Care is a local 24/7 home care agency that provides In Home Elder Care in North NJ with meaningful care that is unique to each individual.

Discussing COVID-19 Precautions with Our Elders


As elders and individuals people with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus, family caregivers may feel more anxious about their loved ones health and safety.

There are several things family caregivers can do their elders and help them understand why coronavirus is a cause for concern:

Get the Facts


Before talking to your older loved ones about COVID-19, you should arm yourself with facts and information from reliable sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention or state and local health departments.

Providing them with information from a news outlet, healthcare provider or community organization is an effective way to boost credibility. You should also correct any misinformation that may be driving their erroneous beliefs or behavior.

Understand Our Elders’ Feelings


To help your loved ones realize the seriousness of COVID-19, you need to uncover the reasons behind their behavior — and the best way to do this is by asking questions. You might start by asking them what they have heard about COVID-19, what they think about the pandemic, and what they have done to prepare.

What you learn might surprise you. For example, an elder who is coping with cognitive decline may not understand or remember information they hear about COVID-19 and forget to follow important safety precautions.

Elders may incorrectly believe the virus won’t affect them because they are in good health, aren’t THAT old, have “survived worse,” or never get sick. Some elders may not understand how their refusal to follow public health guidance could contribute to the spread of the virus.

It’s also vital for family caregivers to be aware of other factors that impact elder’s behavior toward the virus, such as fear of isolation, concern over changing routines, or anxiety over an uncertain situation.

Provide Guidance


It is critical to use the right tone and approach. Pressuring, badgering, or talking down to your elder may make it less likely he or she will listen to you. Make sure you let them know you are not trying to upset them and are only concerned about their health and safety.

Make sure you actively listen address his or her specific concerns; for example, if your loved one is concerned about losing touch with family members, you could help them develop a plan to keep in touch and provide them with creative ways to communicate during social distancing. If he or she is concerned about missing an activity, you could help them research safe alternatives or find new ways to stay active.

If they have concerns about being able to take care of themselves or obtain supplies during lock downs, you could arrange for qualified home care agency, like Applause Home Care to provide essential services during the pandemic.

You could also mention the steps that you, or someone your loved ones know and respect, have taken to prepare or comply with public health guidelines.

Two-Way Communication


No matter how your elder reacts, just let them know you are there and available to them. You can share you own concerns and ways you use to cope and manage. You can ask them for suggestions in ways to manage situations. We are in this and will get through this together!!

Part of protecting your older loved ones during the pandemic means doing your best to help them understand the seriousness of the situation and teaching them how to keep themselves — and others — safe. 

For more information about our In Home Elder Care in North NJ call Applause Home Care at (201) 326-8051.

Applause Home Care – Your Trusted Provider for In Home Elder Care in North NJ.

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