senior lady holding mask looking longingly out window

Loneliness. Fear. Isolation. The pandemic has wreaked havoc on all of us in one way or another, but for senior loved ones especially, the seclusion required to ensure safety from COVID-19 has had adverse effects on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. At Abby Senior Care, our home care for seniors in Denver can help reduce senior loneliness and isolation and support seniors as they seek to retain the social connections that are so crucial to their health and wellbeing.

  • Safe socialization. While we have become familiar with the phrase “social distancing,” it’s not the socialization itself we must distance ourselves from, of course, but only the physical proximity to others. Staying socially connected through the pandemic might not look exactly like we’d like without physical touch, but there are various ways an in-home caregiver can help encourage older adults to still be close to those they love. Whether a senior prefers old-fashioned phone calls and letter writing, or is open to making use of social media or technology for virtual face-to-face conversations, we can help seniors get in touch with others often.
  • Maximizing time with trusted companions. For older adults who live alone, spending quality time with an in-home caregiver can help tremendously with alleviating feelings of isolation. We take time to play board games, bake, have conversations, do arts and crafts together, perhaps even take an online course together to learn a new language or another skill.
  • Limiting exposure to the news. While it’s necessary to stay up to date around the latest specifics of the pandemic as well as other news items of interest, an excessive amount of time spent reading or watching the news is likely to raise a senior’s stress and anxiety levels. Our care providers encourage seniors to set realistic goals associated with news intake: perhaps one 30-minute news program in the morning, and another at dinnertime, and fill the remainder of the day with uplifting television shows, reading materials, and other engaging activities.
  • Practicing positivity. Considering the various “what ifs” can be frightening. We help seniors shift their thinking to a much more positive mindset and internal dialogue through mindfulness, prayer, gratitude, guided meditation or yoga, and even through encouraging the senior to spend time on a regular basis talking with a specific friend or family member who has a way of always looking on the bright side.
  • Enjoying nature. Being outside in and of itself minimizes stress and anxiety; our caregivers safely help older adults enjoy walks, along with other forms of physical exercise, for an added calming effect. We are also careful to strictly follow safety guidelines – staying apart from others, wearing a face covering, etc.
  • Helping someone else. There is no better elixir to feeling down than helping somebody else up. Even while remaining in the home, there are a variety of ways older adults can make a difference in the lives of others. Together, we can brainstorm ideas related to an older adult’s particular interests and passions; for instance, writing and mailing cards of encouragement to nursing home residents, assembling care packages for the homeless or disabled veterans, making baby blankets for an area organization that helps single mothers, or baking homemade dog treats to send to the animal shelter.

Are you in need of a home care for seniors in Denver or the surrounding areas? Let Abby Senior Care’s professional, compassionate caregivers help the older adults you love overcome isolation and senior loneliness. We abide by all recommended procedures to safely care for older adults in the home, and love bringing smiles to the faces of those we serve. Contact us at 303-699-8840 to learn more about our home care for seniors in Denver and the surrounding areas.