Senior Care Housing Opening with Caution
With many states now “yellow” or going “green,” many senior living facilities are beginning to open their doors to family members for visitations. We’re not going to argue the color coded system which makes no sense. For example, “green” typically means “go” but apparently, it still means “proceed with caution.” What we are going to say is that many state facilities and private institutions are opening their doors to family members who haven’t seen their moms, dads and grandparents in quite awhile due to COVID.
How to protect yourself and your aged parent or grandparent? Take these steps if you go to visit:
a) Make sure you have no temperature or flu like symptoms. If you do, stay home.
b) Wash your hands before you go.
c) Wash your hands vigorously immediately upon entering your loved ones room or apartment.
d) Wear a mask. Although controversery surrounds this concept, better to have than have not.
e) Keep your hands and fingers to yourself. Touch as little as possible.
f) Do NOT touch any door handles, elevator buttons, banisters, etc. Bring a wipe, towelette or napkin with you so you do not have to touch anything.
g) Wash your hands again with soap and water as soon as you get home.
Keep in mind that your loved one may not realize the importance of all these safeguards. I have to remind my mother several times to wash with soap, not to kiss me and maintain a distance. Part of her does not understand, part of her misses the physical contact and part of her says “to hell with it, I’ve lived a good life.” But I have to remind her that I have a lot of living left to do and it’s to protect everyone, not just her.
Enjoy the visit and say hello to your folks for us!
