The federal government – in collaboration with scientists, researchers, and medical professionals – have recently established strict guidelines for assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and other types of adult care centers that are intended to protect vulnerable populations from contracting and/or experiencing complications from the recently-identified coronavirus now known as “COVID-19”.

The main of these is restricting all non-essential people from entering the facility and implementing strict screening procedures for those that are considered to be essential to the functioning and operation of the facilities. While you may not be able to physically enter an assisted living facility, there are steps you can take to ensure that your loved one is happy, healthy, and safe.

Stay in Contact with Your Loved One

Despite assisted living facilities and other senior care establishments restricting visitors from entering their businesses in order to protect those that live within, there are ways you may stay in contact with your loved one. However, you may need to contact the facility to determine which methods are considered to be appropriate.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus and the devastation it has caused in senior care facilities, many of these establishments are turning to technology as a solution for contact. Be it a video chat, a telephone call, social media pages, or email, there is likely a technique available to you that allows for safe communication with your loved one.

Reach out to the facility and make an inquiry. If you remain in contact, it will lift the spirits of your loved one. By lifting their spirits, you are also boosting their health!

Encourage the Utilization of Individual Therapies

In many assisted living facilities, group physical therapy sessions, group exercise programs, and other types of group therapies are offered. Unfortunately, amid the coronavirus pandemic, many facilities have put a stop to these programs.

Being that they are good for an older loved one’s mental and physical health, you could encourage the facility to incorporate individual therapies – such as one-on-one physical therapy and/or exercise sessions.

While it may not be possible for every resident to receive such services, you may be able to work something out so that your loved one may participate.

Encourage Entertainment and Enrichment

All individuals require entertainment and enrichment. This is even more true for an older loved one who may not be able to receive visitors and/or is experiencing many changes to their routine to protect their health.

You may encourage the assisted living facility to offer entertainment and enrichment for your loved one. Perhaps you could ensure that they have a television and/or radio. Maybe you could get them a cell phone, puzzles, books, magazines, and other items.

Maybe you could encourage the use of technology at higher degrees or handheld gaming devices. These types of items will bring hours of entertainment to your loved one and increase their level of happiness amid this frightening pandemic.

We Can Help

If your loved one has recently undergone assisted living placement, they are in a very different environment. This change has been complicated by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their lives have drastically changed.

However, all people possess a high level of adaptability. While you may be unable to visit them face-to-face, there are many measures you can take to help ensure that they are happy, healthy, and safe.

For more information on how your loved one is being protected, you may contact us today by calling: 973-713-0096