Blog Post

How to Support Older People during the Pandemic: 3 Tips

Education Development Center • Apr 15, 2020

Keeping older people connected during COVID-19 is essential as we face weeks of social distancing.

People aged 60 and over are at the highest risk of experiencing significant health complications due to the COVID-19 outbreak. But the keys to preventing the spread of the coronavirus—quarantine and self-isolation—also have negative health impacts for their physical and mental health.

“Being socially isolated creates a health risk equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day,” says Rebecca Jackson Stoeckle, who directs EDC’s initiatives in health, technology, and aging. She adds that the pandemic will also cause interruptions in how many older adults access their health care needs.

For example, “If you are an older adult who routinely goes to the local senior center to get your blood pressure checked, and that center is now closed, how will you monitor your health?” Stoeckle asks.

As the world tries to adapt to the new social realities imposed by COVID-19, it is essential that older adults continue to feel connected to loved ones, friends, and caregivers around them. Here, Stoeckle offers three tips for making this happen.

1. Embrace technology
Stoeckle says that the fact that more and more older adults are embracing mobile phones, social media, and online tools is a boon at a time when physical proximity to loved ones can actually be harmful to older adults’ health. She encourages families to use technology tools to stay in touch with each other.

Regular routines can be altered to include technology. For instance, families can use Skype to enable an older relative to join them for dinner or read bedtime stories.

“I see this as an opportunity for bonding, especially if a grandchild offers to talk to their grandparents through setting up a Skype account so they can see one another,” says Stoeckle.

2. Use existing support networks to stay active
Many older adults already have structures that help support their physical and emotional health and wellness—including faith communities, neighborhood or exercise groups, or even weekly bridge games with friends. In a time of social distancing, these networks can help older adults continue to feel connected, even if the events themselves are not happening.

Stoeckle recommends that loved ones check in with older adults about their support networks, and help them find ways to stay connected to these groups and routines. Some religious and civic organizations may already have a plan in place for reaching out to older adults in their community. If so, make sure that the older adults know that too, and help them connect with whatever services may be available.

Informal support networks may be harder to replicate, but it’s not impossible. For example, there are plenty of fitness apps that can help older adults stay active, even if they are not going to their weekly swim or Zumba class. And while card games may be harder to do virtually, keeping the routine of getting together with friends—even if it is only over the phone or Skype—is still valuable.

“The most important things are the human-to-human touch and helping people who live alone,” says Stoeckle. “I think we all need to identify people in our building, in our neighborhood, or in our life who may be vulnerable, and we have to make sure they are in touch with someone on a regular basis.”

3. Connect, connect, connect
Finally, Stoeckle says that the most important way to support older adults during this time is to connect however possible. Whether it’s a video chat, phone call, written letter, or even a text, those messages are vital to fostering connectivity and community.

“In many independent living communities, many people have a phone buddy—someone they talk to every day,” she says. “I’m hearing a lot of people say that they are going to start doing that with their loved ones now.”

Stoeckle stresses that even simple connections can be powerful—and that phone calls and text messages may be easier to continue for the long term anyway, once the need for virtual get-togethers fades away.

“In times like this, we feel the value of human connection even more powerfully,” Stoeckle says.

Nurse standing behind elderly woman holding her shoulders

Area Agency on Aging to Host Free Conference in Pittsburg

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • 03 May, 2024
“Power in Community” Conference Will Cover Medicare Basics, Savings Programs, Preventing Fraud, Health and Wellness, and Community Resources
A group of elderly people are sitting around a table with a nurse.

Area Agency on Aging to Host Community Events Celebrating Older Americans Month in 2024

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • 02 Apr, 2024
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) is joining organizations across the nation to celebrate the seniors in our communities for Older Americans Month (OAM). The AAA will host and partner with organizations for six celebration events across East Texas at area senior centers and community centers focusing on connection – how communities can build relationships to maintain a healthy senior population. OAM is a national initiative led by the Administration for Community Living. This year’s theme, Powered by Connection , recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. The following OAM celebration events are open to the public and will include food, fun, door prizes, and information on services available to East Texas seniors: May 8th at the Forever Young Activity Center, located at 404 S. Main St. in Quitman, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM May 9th at the Harrison County Extension Office, located at 2005 Warren Dr. in Marshall, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM May 14th at the Douglas Alumni Association Inc., located at 408 Terry St. in Pittsburg, from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM May 16th at the First United Methodist Church, located at 225 Lovers Ln in Athens, from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM May 30th at Central Baptist Church, located at 220 W. Sabine St. in Carthage, from 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM The AAA serves as the region's leader in advocating and providing various services, such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, housing repair, and support through the Ombudsman program for people in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Contact the AAA for questions about the events by calling (903) 218-6500.
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