How to Organize Private Live in Care for an Elderly Person in Quarantine

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that older people are often unaware of the opportunities that technology provides. What we need to know to make life easier for older people in this difficult time.

First of all, it is important to reduce the risk of chronic-to-acute illness. It is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of the attending physician and take the necessary medications according to the schedule. Remember the opportunity to organize a telemedicine appointment. If the elderly person suddenly felt bad, don’t hesitate to call an ambulance.

People over the age of 65 are advised to especially strictly follow the rules of social distancing. Until the epidemic subsides, it is better for them not to go to stores, even grocery stores, to pharmacies and in general to leave the apartment as little as possible. Here's how to provide the elderly with everything they need.

If you take advantage of a private live in care service, the personnel of this service can arrange the delivery of necessary food or medicine. Contact the River Garden Home Care agency. They offer high-quality and cost-effective home care services for the elderly to support older people to continue living safely and independently in their own homes.

Also, be sure to discuss your shopping list with the elder, as everyone has their own preferences. Familiar things and foods can help you avoid additional stress.

Make sure that the order contains enough products from the main food groups: lean meat, poultry and fish, vegetables and fruits, dairy and cereals. But it is usually advised to limit the intake of salt, animal fats, and sweets.

It is especially important to please loved ones, add to the order something that the elderly person loves: a small jar of pate, good cheese or berries (of course, if it is not strictly forbidden for medical reasons). A bouquet of flowers is also suitable, in some grocery chains you can order this too.

Check if the elderly person is running out of hygiene products or household chemicals.

According to the WHO recommendations, people aged 65 years and older need 150-300 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75-150 minutes of moderate to high-intensity aerobic exercise every week. It is important not to forget about strength training and balance exercises.

When choosing an exercise type, it is important to consider the health status and preferences of a person. Examples of activity are walking around the house; cleaning and household chores, etc.

If an elderly person suffers from dizziness and sometimes loses his balance, order him an Apple Watch with a fall alarm system: the smartwatch will alert you and automatically contact a doctor in an emergency.

Elderly people often neglect new technologies because of stereotypes. In fact, if the brain is not damaged by diseases like Alzheimer's, then the older person is capable of learning. Moreover, mastering something new is absolutely necessary for the brain to work efficiently.

The main problem that harms the health of the elderly and which geriatricians struggle with is the social distancing that we all now have to observe. Loneliness directly affects the physical, psychological and cognitive state of an older person: it makes the risk of depression, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease higher. Therefore, the main goal is to maintain social contacts and protect them from depression. Offer online psychotherapy. Depression is very common among the elderly.

Think of how an elderly person can remotely talk not only with you but with others with whom he/she used to communicate. Organize calls with relatives from other cities, friends of college times and neighbors.

If a person complains that you don't have much contact with him, think about what exactly is hidden behind this complaint. Maybe because of isolation the person has a lot of free time?

It is also worth planning some pleasant event for the time when the quarantine will be canceled: a joint trip to a restaurant, a theater, or just a walk to the park: waiting for this award will help them come to terms with the fact of isolation.