Senior Check In: Looking in on Older Neighbors and Family is Critical

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.