The Covid-19 vaccine has now been out for quite a while and a larger portion of the population has received both doses (with some already receiving their booster). With many seeing the holidays shutdown last year and not having a lot of access to their loved ones in assisted living, many are ready to cut loose in 2021.
It is important to note that while the vaccine has proven to be effective in preventing hospitalizations, as a caretaker, you need to be vigilant for your loved one’s sake. We’ve pulled together some reminders, tips, and guidance to help you avoid spreading Covid-19 to a loved one in assisted living care.
1. Do Some of the Things, Not All of the Things
This can be difficult to understand but utilizing an example is typically the best way to do so. If every year, you pick up your loved one from their care facility to go Christmas shopping with you, maybe try to avoid that. Putting them into a situation that won’t allow for distancing and can expose them to many others isn’t recommended.
2. Keep Yourself Healthy
If you have a job or a social aspect of your life that regularly puts you into contact with tens/hundreds of people on a weekly basis, maybe try to dial it back in the weeks leading up to the holidays. Your loved one is likely counting on you for transportation and if you manage to get sick, it could ruin your own holidays along with your loved one.
3. Postpone Unnecessary Doctor Visits
Limit their exposure to environments where people might be sick regularly like a doctor’s office (especially if the office is in a hospital). If you have a regular check up appointment, consider having it moved to after the holidays to ensure that you (and your loved one) don’t end up contracting Covid.
4. Don’t Mess Around with Symptoms
Starting to run a bit of a fever? Avoid seeing your aging loved one. Starting to have coughing fits? Probably better times to swing by the assisted living care facility to see them. You could be right, and it is simply allergies but if it does end up being Covid, you will feel terrible having put your loved one at risk. Get tested, confirm you don’t have Covid, and continue with a peace of mind.
Share these tips as part of your holiday plan with your loved one. If they know some of these things, it will be easier for them to understand if any hiccups to occur close to the holidays.
