My name is Jason Hadley and I am guest writing this week for Aging Solutions Utah. Staying connected with aging loved ones has definitely become more challenging in the COVID-19 era. For those who are used to visiting Grandparents or even great-grandparents regularly, this pandemic has been extremely hard on you as well. I know this has been the experience in my own family.
I have a 94 year-old grandmother and a 93 year-old grandfather who are still with us. Our family has made it a practice to get together at least monthly with my grandparents and my children have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know their great-grandparents personally because of these gatherings. Now imagine all of that being ripped away from you in an instant because of a pandemic. I know many of you can relate because you are going through the same experiences as we are.
However, we need to continue to keep my grandparents in our lives because we love them. I know that this has been just as hard on them as it has been on us. Because of my own experience, I thought I would share some insights on what you can do to stay connected with your aging loved ones during this time. If you have other ideas, I would love for you to share those in the comments below:
Use Technology to connect
I think one of the most wonderful blessings we have been given in this day and age is technology. Whether you are using Facetime, Hangouts, Messenger, or Zoom you can use technology to stay close to your aging loved ones. Understand though that technology is not always a friend of our elderly family members. Be creative and see if there is a way you can make this work. It has been wonderful for my family to be able to still "see" their great-grandparents even if from a distance and through technology.
Make a phone call
I know this might seem a little old-fashioned, but a phone call still be a great option of staying connected. Think of your grandparents and think of the joy they must feel when someone has thought of them enough to pick up the phone and dial their number. A small and simple act can carry so much meaning.
Write a letter
This one can be a little less safe than the others because of fear of the virus being transmitted through touch, but a letter is a great way to stay connected. I think there are fewer forms of communication that have more meaning and more thought than a written letter or note. For those who have small kids, you could even have them color a picture for grandma or grandpa.
Stage a drive by
I've even been touched to see people decorating their cars with signs and balloons and driving past their loved ones home. You can stop and waive out the window, or even drop a gift on the porch as you go by. The most important part of this or any idea is to help your aging family member know they are loved and not forgotten.
Conclusion
Those are just a few ways to stay connected with your aging loved ones during this pandemic. We welcome your thoughts and ideas of how to stay connected that will keep our seniors safe and healthy. As always, if you need someone to help out with the care of your aging loved ones, consider hiring a geriatric care manager from Aging Solutions Utah. They will do all that they can to help you and your loved ones stay healthy and connected.
Talk with a Geriatric Care Manager
If you would like to know more about how a geriatric care manager can help you and your family, I invite you to talk with one of our Geriatric Care Manager's today!