One of the most important things assisted living and memory care communities offer older adults is the opportunity to stay connected and engaged.
With the COVID-19 outbreak restricting visitors and limiting community activities, assisted living and memory care communities are getting creative not only with the ways they’re helping families, friends, and residents stay connected with one another but also with how they’re helping residents cope with change and anxiety.
The Importance of Staying Calm and Connected During Social Distancing
Staying connected and engaged is important for everybody but especially for older adults. Countless research studies have shown a strong correlation between social interaction and health and well-being among older adults and have suggested that social isolation may have significant adverse effects.
“We know how important it is to keep our residents engaged and in contact with their loved ones,” says Angie Larrabee, Life Enhancement Programming Manager for Highgate Senior Living. “We’re being proactive in keeping those connections up. Our team is thinking out of the box about how we can help our residents get messages to their loved ones.”
Bridget Wood, Life Enhancement Coordinator at Highgate at Billings, says it’s not just family members who are missing connecting with residents. Many senior living communities have volunteers who serve in the community or partnerships with outside organizations.
For example, memory care residents at Highgate at Billings have been pen pals with the kiddos at Munchkin Land Daycare for the past four years. “They’re a huge part of our Highgate family,” Wood says. “Our residents have watched them grow up. Some of these kids were in diapers four years ago and now they’re starting kindergarten.”
To help them stay connected, the memory care residents are creating scrapbooks to give to the kids from the day care, and the day care staff will help the kids create scrapbooks to send back.
“It’s not just family members missing out on the relationships we’ve built,” Wood says. “It’s our volunteer community as well. And that gives our residents just as much purpose as talking to family.”
Senior living communities aren’t only thinking of ways to keep their residents connected during the coronavirus quarantine. They’re also helping residents cope with change amid COVID-19.
“This is a huge change for our residents,” says Katrina Custodio, Life Enhancement Coordinator at Highgate at Temecula. “My years working in this industry has taught me that the more we keep our residents informed of any changes, the easier of a transition it will be — not only for the residents but for the team members as well.”
Custodio started a weekly newsletter for her residents that offers an update on what’s been happening, how it affects their community, and reminders about hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene.
“That’s been helping ease their anxiety and stressors at this time,” Custodio says. “We’re also doing more one-on-ones, and that has enabled us to spend time with residents who are having more difficulties adjusting.”
Although staying physically connected with others during the coronavirus pandemic can be more challenging, there are many strategies you can use to help your loved one feel less isolated and more connected with others during this stressful and scary time.
Creative Ways to Stay Connected During the COVID-19 Outbreak (and Beyond)
Here is a slideshow of ways the Life Enhancement Coordinators and Community Relations Coordinators at Highgate Senior Living have helped residents connect with one another, family, and friends during the COVID-19 quarantine.
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