By Clare Absher RN BSN  
Updated: 05/30/2020  
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All known data points to Covid-19, the name of the illness caused by the coronavirus pandemic, to be extremely serious when contracted by the elderly. Therefore, we need to be exceptionally vigilant when it comes to quarantining elderly loved ones but at the same time clearly acknowledge their need for communication, companionship, and care. Social isolation for older parents poses great risk for emotional concerns such as anxiety, loneliness, paranoia, and depression. Finding creative ways to safeguard your parents' mental health is important during this pandemic. While all age groups struggle with isolation, special attention must be given to our more vulnerable elderly loved ones confronted with quarantine.

A tribute to my own mother's resilience in coping with quarantine.

My 87-year old Mom is very active in her community and in pre-pandemic life hard to find home most days. Her typical day was once filled with volunteering, socializing, exercising, and joining in activities at the senior center. Keeping her on lock down at times has been challenging, along with some need for cautioning against cavalier behavior. She presumes that many older folks like herself, who have lived full lives, are more accepting of their fate than younger counterparts.

Although I sense some anxiety about family members getting sick, missing the companionship of peers, and insomnia attributed to less activity, Mom rolls with the punches for the most part. She rarely complains, but still I can't help but feel she and other active seniors deserve to live out their final years in the company of family and friends. Regardless, we are reminded that any hardships imposed on our elderly loved ones staying home pale in comparison to becoming seriously ill and possibly dying alone in a hospital bed.

Creatively communicate with seniors isolated from family and friends.

My mom is one of the lucky seniors who has family nearby that can safely spend time with her. Long-distance families are now, more than ever, faced with new methods of communication to stay connected with their elderly parents. Some families are setting up Facebook groups, group emails and texts, and video chats with elderly parents where you can actually see and be seen by them.

If you have access to video with your senior parents be sure to observe for any signs of poor hygiene such as unwashed hair, overgrown nails, and unkept clothes. Look for indications of inadequate nutrition including weight loss or gain, and dry skin due to poor hydration. Listen closely for symptoms of depression, paranoia, and cognitive impairment including disorientation or confusion due to isolation. Gift your parents an I-pad or smart phone including operating lessons. Send photos and cards via snail mail so they can be revisited time and time again by your parents.

Hire in-home care for companionship and monitoring elderly parents.

Hiring in-home care can make a huge difference in helping your elderly loved ones weather the coronavirus. Long-distance families can benefit by knowing home caregivers have eyes and ears on their elderly parents and are monitoring their health. Periodic communications with home caregivers about the welfare of their loved one can certainly offer peace of mind to worried families. Your lonely elderly folks will likely treasure the companionship afforded by in-home caregivers and help avoid depression that can accompany social isolation.

However, hiring homecare workers can also cause worry for families due to concerns about possibly infecting loved ones with coronavirus unknowingly via caregivers. Careful consideration of hiring an agency is strongly advised to ensure strict adherence with safety procedures that protect workers and clients alike. Families should expect to be informed of a concise Covid-19 protocol followed by agency personnel when contemplating care for their older parents.

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Seniors suffer seclusion in long-term care; Caregivers are over-whelmed.

Lonely and confused by seclusion during the pandemic causes countless seniors in elder homes to incur severe risks to their mental health and well-being. Families who are restricted access to their loved ones are consumed with worry for their welfare. Families are uneasy about the possible turmoil behind closed doors as caregivers struggle to meet the needs of their patients. Caregivers are overwhelmed with demands of caring for patients suffering with Covid-19, staffing shortages, and absence of visiting family members who supplement care. Families can express gratitude to dedicated caregivers during this challenging time with thank you cards, flowers, fruit baskets, and other thoughtful gifts.

With the help of staff, families can identify strategies to communicate with their loved ones in facilities through email, Facetime, Zoom and other social media platforms. Don't forget the simplest and oldest communication of letter writing that many older folks cherish the most. Be sure the care facility where your elderly parent resides has your current contact information and identify the appropriate facility contact person. Remember to choose one family member to be the liaison with staff to avoid excess calls burdening already busy staff.

Positive take away from forced quarantine on our senior population.

Many of us have learned from experiences during this forced quarantine that may reflect positively going forward with caring for our elderly. My own mother's tough spirit has been reinforced while a lot of us have found new admiration for the resilience of our elderly loved ones. We have also become more sensitive to our basic need for connection with others through human companionship.

Some of us have discovered different ways to communicate through technology with our elderly loved ones that we had not considered pre-pandemic. Others have a newfound respect for the kindness that unselfish caregivers lend our loved ones. Our hearts truly break for those families who have lost their cherished ones to this horrific virus. We are especially grateful for our elderly loved ones who have survived to this date yet are keenly aware of their future vulnerability.

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