Seven Ways to Stay in Touch with Your Loved One During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Senior facilities may restrict or forbid visitors during the coronavirus pandemic to protect their residents from people who may carry the virus. Here are seven steps you can take if your loved one’s facility restricts or forbids visitors:
Identify a key contact at the facility and ensure you have reliable access.
Review your contact information on file. Add a second contact who the facility can contact if you cannot be reached.
Learn their new policies/procedures during the pandemic for:
Medical care visits (on site or off)
Medication refills
Paid caregivers
Activities
Dining services
Review your loved one’s code status and end-of-life planning. The following documents need to be updated and in their file:
Power of Attorney and or Health Care Surrogate
Do Not Resuscitate orders (DNA) or Do Not Intubate orders (DNI)
Plan a good time for regular communication with your loved one. Try to develop and stick to the new routine. Phone calls are great. Video can be even better if its available so you can see your loved one and gauge their overall well being a more fully.
Snail mail is back! Send mail often and include family photos, puzzles, or anything your loved one would enjoy. Ask other family members or friends to do the same.
Find out if you can send care packages. Pack with an extra outer layer of paper or plastic that can be removed before being given to your loved one.