How to Stay Connected to Loved Ones in Isolation
Isolation is necessary during a pandemic to keep everyone safe. When we’re dealing with a virus like COVID-19 that puts seniors and others with weakened immune systems at risk, it’s especially important for our sick and elderly loved ones to stay isolated. But when people are ill or in a hospice care in Chandler, isolation can make it even harder to remain positive or to maintain a high quality of life.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to stay connected to your loved ones even if you can’t be there with them in person. Here are a few ideas:
Call Them
Just the sound of your voice can be enough to make a person feel more connected to you. Call your loved ones in their homes or in a Gilbert hospice care to let them know that you are thinking of them and to tell them you love them. Talk about what’s happening in your life, what you’re watching on TV, and other light topics. Or let them guide the conversation.
If you can, make a video call so you can see your loved one, as well. You can do it on your phone, or you can do it through apps like Zoom or Google Hangouts.
Make a Drive-by Visit
You may not be able to visit with your loved one in person, but you can provide some sense of closeness and connection by doing a “drive-by” visit. Just drive to your loved one’s house, pull into the driveway or stop in front of the house on the street, and wave from your car. You may even have a short conversation from that distance.
If your loved one is in a hospital or hospice facility near Glendale, this may not be possible. Check with the facility about the policy on visitation.
Drop Off Groceries
Your loved one may not be able to go out during the pandemic, even to get essential items like groceries. The risk for infection is just too great. You can show your loved one how much you care and ensure that they have what they need by grocery shopping for them. Just drop the groceries on their step to minimize the risk of transmission.
Make sure you coordinate with your loved one about the shopping. You don’t want to buy things they don’t need, and you also don’t want to leave groceries sitting outside for long. So you need to know what your loved one wants you to buy, and you need to know that your loved one will be ready to receive the groceries when you are ready to drop them off.
Bring Books
Reading is a great way to pass the time when you are isolated. You can live through other worlds, or you can learn new things. You can show your loved one that you are thinking of them by dropping off books for them to read.
You may want to consider making the gesture more meaningful by bringing your favorite books or books that have been meaningful to you. Or you could increase the connection by bringing books that you are also reading and doing a virtual book club with phone call and email discussions.
Bring Puzzles or Art Supplies
Puzzles and art are also great ways to pass the time when you are alone. Consider bringing your loved one some fun puzzles to do, maybe with themes that you like. You could also bring art supplies such as paint and canvas, fabric and thread, clay, or needlework. Bring things you know your loved one would like, as well as things you think your loved one might like to try. If you aren’t sure, just ask.
Write Letters
Many of the elderly people grew up writing and receiving letters. You can connect with your loved one by writing regular letters. They will love getting that surprise in the mail, and they will love reading about what’s happening in your life – even if it is just ways that you are also coping with quarantine.
Consider starting a correspondence discussing family history and shared memories. You and your loved one will be delighted to learn new stories and to hear memories they had forgotten.
You don’t have to be together to connect with your loved ones during a quarantine. You just need to rethink the way you connect and get creative. That connection will brighten your loved one’s spirits, which can improve their health and their quality of life. For those in hospice care in Phoenix, that emotional connection can even make them more physically resilient, which can help them manage their symptoms better.
If you are in need of hospice care during quarantine, call Americare Hospice & Palliative Care. Our experienced hospice providers know how to safely deliver care to help relieve symptoms and give patients the best quality of life while they are struggling with a serious illness or facing end of life. We also provide support for the whole family, which can include facilitating connection in times of isolation. Call us in Mesa today to learn more about our services. We offer in home hospice care and inpatient hospice.
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1212 N. Spencer St., Suite #2Mesa, Arizona 85203
Office: (480) 726-7773
Fax: (480) 726-7790
Email: info@americarehospice.org
Website: https://americarehospice.org/
