Balancing Senior Safety with Freedom During the Pandemic

Senior safety is key to keep in mind while stay-at-home orders are lifted.

After months of quarantining, isolating, and distancing from loved ones, stay-at-home orders have been relaxed. But for seniors in particular, can it be safe to consider heading out?

Unfortunately, there is no cut-and-dry answer, and a number of criteria need to be considered to arrive at the best decision for every person, balancing senior safety with mental and emotional wellbeing. For example:

• What health problems is the senior loved one encountering?
• How challenging has it been for her or him to be isolated from loved ones?
• Is the incidence rate of the virus subsiding or spiking within your town?

As a family caregiver, the best place to get started is sitting down and having a one-on-one conversation with the older adult. If your senior loved one is adamantly and fervently set on a specific activity, like seeing the grandchildren or going for a walk at the neighborhood park, be sure he or she completely understands the potential risks involved.

Make certain you’re up to date as well on the current news from trusted sources on any new precautions and/or recommendations. Think about this information as only one part of your decision-making process, however, as opposed to an end-all perspective.

Then, broach the subject with the older adult’s healthcare provider for a professional opinion and also for assistance with weighing potential risk factors against the benefits associated with increased socialization and engagement in the community. You might also like to seek advice from other loved ones and carefully consider their input as well ahead of making the final decision on exactly how to proceed.

Most of all, take enough time to make sure you’re doing what is most suitable for your loved one’s general health and wellbeing, rather than making a snap decision that you may later regret. If you’re still uncertain as to what to do, it may be wise to refrain from going out with the senior for now and revisit the issue at a later time. And keep in mind that you always have the choice to change your thinking if for any reason you’re uncomfortable with your first decision.

Whether you and your family member are at ease with the choice to go out and about, or make the decision to continue staying at home, you can depend on Hired Hands Homecare to provide trusted in-home care help such as accompanied transportation, companionship, running errands including grocery shopping, and various other types of help and support, always in compliance with recommended safety protocols. Reach out to us at (866) 940-4343 any time for more senior safety tips, to schedule a free in-home consultation, or to learn more about our Sonoma home care and the areas we serve.

Pandemic