Seniors are having a particularly tough time with COVID-19. It’s worse in inclement weather. Now’s the time to check in on them.

This big snowstorm is a perfect example of why it is so important to check in on seniors.  

The pandemic has left many of us feeling lonely and isolated, and those feelings can grow particularly strong during a weather event that might cut us off from power and heat. 

Imagine how our older friends, relatives, and neighbors are feeling.

Check in on them.

Seniors are having a particularly tough time with COVID-19. Although they are all now eligible for the vaccine, actually getting it is proving difficult for many. 

Many are not tech savvy, and signing up to receive the vaccine can prove challenging. Lines can be long. Frustration mounts.

Senior Housing

It can be a confusing time for many living in retirement homes and assisted living communities, and while their physical needs are being met by the staff, they would really appreciate our phone calls and Zoom calls. 

They were accustomed to socializing with their peers, bingo nights, casino trips, religious services, coffee with friends, book clubs, and more, and now they are isolated in their rooms. That can lead to depression and declining health — activities kept them alert and motivated.

Even if you don’t have a loved one in a senior home, your kids or your Girl Scout troop can create cards and pictures that would brighten their day.

Neighbors

While our older neighbors may still be able to drive, getting out to the store can be a frightening experience. They want to wear masks, but they may feel uncomfortable doing so. Many seniors do not have family nearby. And it’s so cold out. 

Offering to pick up some groceries, do their garbage and recycling, or run to the drugstore for them would be so appreciated. Even bringing in the mail for those with a separate mailbox is a welcome act of kindness.

Find out their dietary restrictions, then offer to bring them a few meals.  

Enquire as to the schedule they are keeping for their medications. 

They may already have someone to shovel their walk for the big storms, but those pesky little dustings can truly wreak havoc and can keep them shut in.

According to a recent Today show article, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites research that says nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be “socially isolated” and could be at risk for cognitive decline, dementia, depression, heart disease, and other ailments.

The Today show article makes some nice points about the importance of staying in touch with our seniors. It discusses pets, exercise, mental health, and the importance of routines. You can read it in its entirety here.

For the past three plus months, we have all “sheltered in place,” but have you heard of “aging in place”?

Aging in place — or growing older at home as opposed to aging in a retirement community — is increasing in popularity. Aging in place allows you to maintain your independence and your social connections, but it has to be done safely.

Many seniors want to stay in the home they have built over the years, and if stairs to negotiate — either to second story bedrooms or to basement laundry facilities — are not an issue, then aging in place might be a viable option for you.

Of course, with fairly simple renovations, most homes could be converted to make one-floor living accessible. A bed can be placed in a family room or den, and laundry can be put in the kitchen or garage. Grab bars in the shower, a ramp at the entrances, and easy-to-turn doorknobs are a few simple changes you can make in your home to make it easier for you to live in. 

If you think you might want to age in place, you need to plan now for help you might need down the road. Do you live alone? Is there a family member who would move in with you to help you? Is there a place for a caregiver to live?

Following are a few things for you to think about as you decide if aging in place is a better choice for you then moving to a retirement community. Either way, A Simpler Life Now can help you prepare for whichever option is right for you.

How will you address simple self-care tasks like bathing, washing your hair, and getting dressed? Caregivers are available to come into your home and assist with a range of tasks. Some might even be covered by your insurance plan.

Medical

There are special apps and pill boxes that can remind you when you have to take your medicines. You should always bring someone you trust to your doctor appointments, especially if you will be getting a lot of information on that visit like test results. That person should not be afraid to question the doctor; they are your advocate so they should speak up. Ask the doctor to put instructions in writing so you can be clear about them and refer back to them.

In case of emergency, make sure you have health proxy advanced directives and a living will signed so that your loved ones can make health decisions for you if you are unable to act on your own behalf. 

Chores

Grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions are something to consider. With everyone sheltering in place the past few months because of COVID-19, we have learned that it is actually quite doable to not go to the store. Groceries, drugs, dry cleaning, and just about everything else can be ordered online and delivered to your home. Check with your medicare plan to see if you are eligible for a walker, scooter, or wheelchair if needed.

Taking care of the home

You need to think about a housekeeper, a gardener, a handyman, and other service providers as simpler tasks grow more difficult to accomplish.

Meal preparation 

The groceries can be delivered, but what about cooking? Many of my clients cook full dinners well into their 90s and entertain too. But if you don’t want to cook every night, there are plenty of food-delivery options, as well as meal kits that get sent to the home with heat-and-serve options. Perhaps a friend or neighbor will “co-op” with you and you can share meal-preparation responsibilities. It’s also nice and social to go to a senior center, church, or synagogue to share meals with friends new and old. Many towns have organized “meals-on-wheels” food delivery services for their seniors. Your local community or senior center should have information.

Paying the bills

If you don’t have a child or other relative that can help you out, there are plenty of small businesses that specialize in helping seniors with their paperwork. Other small firms will help you negotiate the maze of healthcare and medicare forms. Start by searching for a geriatric care manager. If you don’t have it already set up, they can help you pay your bills online automatically each month.

Avoid scammers

As much as we hate to think about it, there are plenty of people out there who prey on seniors and try to scam them out of their savings. Don’t ever click on a link in an email. Be suspicious! If you receive a message from your bank or credit card company that you think you should act on, type that company name into your browser and enter their website that way as opposed to clicking on a link in an email. Never give out your passwords or social security number to anyone over the phone. Go through your bill statements to make sure that you recognize all of the charges. Watch out for any “free introductory offer” you may have signed up for that is now charging you monthly or annually. It is very easy for these charges to slip through!

Growing older at home is an option, but you just have to plan for it so that you are not caught off guard by anything that arises. There is nothing nicer than living where you are comfortable, with all of your well-loved possessions, in the place you call home. 

Give us a call at A Simpler Life Now and we can create your aging-in-place plan, and make some fixes in your home — like reducing your clutter to make your space more livable, efficient, and safe. Let’s talk about what will make aging in place a good choice for you.