If you have a parent or grandparent in an assisted living facility, you may be worried about how they could be affected by COVID-19. This viral illness is especially harmful to people over 65 and those with compromised immune systems or preexisting conditions. Luckily, there are practical steps you can take to protect vulnerable populations. Let the below tips guide you.

3 Ways to Keep Seniors Healthy During COVID-19

1. Stay Healthy to Avoid Spreading Disease 

Your loved one is already set apart from the world in assisted living. If you visit and are infected with COVID-19, you run the risk of bringing illness into the community.

Stay healthy to decrease the risk by washing your hands for 20 seconds multiple times throughout the day, especially after being out in public or using the bathroom. If you do visit, wear a face mask to decrease the risk of infection via droplets.

2. Make Social Distancing Easier

In areas where COVID-19 infections have taken hold, social distancing is recommended to limit the spread of the disease. You may, thus, not be able to visit your loved one in person. Help them stay home and stay healthy by providing practical support.

Their assisted living community will provide basics like meals but there may be other items they want, like crafting supplies or books. You can drop these goods off without personal contact.

3. Check-In Regularly to Safeguard Mental Health

As people practice social distancing, individuals in assisted living may feel isolated and lonely. This can lead to mental health problems, like anxiety and depression. Even if you can't visit your loved one in person, take the time for text messages, phone calls, and video calls. You can also play virtual online games together as a means of interacting.

Provident Village at Creekside in Cobb County, GA, is an assisted living community that puts resident safety first. Along with their sister facility, Provident Village at Canton in Cherokee County, they provide residents with compassionate and attentive care. Their professional team is dedicated to helping seniors thrive in their later years. They provide both physical and mental support through their memory care services and have medical staff on hand 24/7. To schedule a visit at the assisted living facility nearest you, call (678) 210-7135 (Creekside) or (770) 450-5135 (Canton).