With all the COVID-19 fears, many of us are concerned about loved ones right now—are they getting enough food, are they safe? Are they still going out shopping despite warnings to stay home? 

On one hand you respect their autonomy: They’ve been around a while and have seen a few unfortunate events transpire. In fact, they managed to survive a lot of hardships. Yet, we’re finding out that this virus is bad and it’s merciless towards the elderly. You don’t want to disrespect your elders, yet you want them to stay safe. 

The fears are real. The stats are troubling. It’s hard not to be concerned about what could happen to my elderly loved ones. If you were struggling with anxiety before, all this virus stuff is likely not helping. We have some great blogs about managing anxiety, practicing relaxation techniques and learning how to cope. 

1. Share helpful tips—How can I sanitize things to stay safe? How can I get exercise while keeping my distance? What are services that can help me get errands done? 

2. Courier or delivery meals—There’s always delivery, as well as many meal services that can ship you fresh ingredients and recipes to cook at home. 

Mail them a care package—Share some precious toilet paper, disinfectants, toiletries, snacks, crossword puzzles… The World Health Organization is telling us that, "The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.”

3. "211" Service—These superhero phone agents connect you to health and social services. If you are looking for services that could help your grandparents, dial 211. If you want to know who’s open and who’s cancelling appointments, ask 211. They are a great resource. 

4. Create a call schedule—Perhaps with other friends and family, create a schedule of who will call to check on your elderly loved ones each day. Spend some time. Tell them jokes. Ask for stories. In fact, maybe now is your chance to write some of those down so the next generations can hear them.

5. Get real--Talk about mental health, about coping strategies. Ask if they are following a regular routine, or how they are keeping their brain and body active. Maybe share some relaxation techniques. 

You know your loved ones best. Know that they need to hear from you right now. They are scared too. But with some creativity, you can let them know you care and that you want them to be safe. 

If you are finding your anxiety is increasing, please don’t ignore that. You can browse our blog collection for some helpful anxiety topics. Or, you can consider booking with one of our therapists who would be happy to be of assistance. We are offering phone and video sessions to keep everyone safe. 

These days are tough, but with some creativity you can ease your worry and show care for the ones you love. 

Photo by David Sinclair on Unsplash