Humans are social creatures who crave companionship, seek out personal connections, and find solace in shared experiences. The coronavirus pandemic began more than a year ago, and virtual interactions are still the safest way to connect with vulnerable individuals. During this time of limited social exposure, its normal for feelings of isolation and loneliness to emerge.Social distancing has been particularly hard on already-homebound seniors, who have received fewer visits and had less opportunity to venture into the community not because of neglect but out of fear for their safety. The country is moving in the right direction with vaccinations helping to reduce new surges of the virus. Still, until things return to normal, it's important to continue connecting virtually with your senior loved ones, especially those with health concerns, to let them know you care. It's not the same as face-to-face contact, but technology can still provide social benefits and improve mental health.Phone CallsIf your senior loved one is tech-averse, a good old-fashioned phone call is a great place to start. If your loved one doesn't already have a cell phone, there are plenty of easy-to-use smartphones for seniors out there. The trick is to initiate the call yourself. Many seniors dont want to be a burden, so picking up the phone, even for a five-minute conversation, can lighten your loved one's mental load and provide a much-needed social outlet.Text Messages and EmailsSometimes a quick I love you text goes a long way. Show your senior family member how to text if they don't already know how. Emails are also a useful way to spread joy. Consider starting a monthly family newsletter to let everyone know what youve been up to, share interesting news stories or funny memes, and send family photos.Video ChatsVideo chatting has revolutionized the way we communicate virtually. It's the next best thing to in-person interactions, making it a must for seniors to learn how to use. First, find a good tablet or laptop for seniors to provide your loved one with a large, portable screen for chatting. Then, pick a platform, such as FaceTime (for iOS devices), Zoom, Skype, or Google Hangouts. Teach your loved one how to use the platform, and you'll open up a range of ways to stay connected. If your loved one has in-home help, their caregiver can often facilitate video chats if technology is a challenge.If your schedule allows, pick a time to video chat with your senior loved one once a week, giving them something to look forward to if they start feeling lonely. Your visits don't have to be a sit-down conversation. You may arrange to cook the same meal together, enjoy a cup of coffee while sitting on your respective balconies, or pray with one another before bed.Once your senior loved one is comfortable receiving video calls, consider setting up a virtual reunion where multiple family members join the chat all at once. You may even arrange this as a surprise for your loved one so you can relish the look of joy that spreads across their face when they see so many familiar faces on their phone, tablet, or computer screen.Social MediaAbout seven out of 10 Americans are on Facebook, and seniors are the fastest-growing segment on the platform. Instagram, a photo and video-sharing social network, is another option. Help your senior loved one set up an account and connect with family members who are already on social media. You can also explain how to post updates of their own, find local and online events, join groups, and more.Marco PoloThis messaging app is like having a video walkie-talkie. Marco Polios a great way for seniors to connect with busy family members because it allows users to send high-quality videos of themselves or something theyre doing, and the recipients can respond at their leisure. The app comes in a free version, but a paid subscription unlocks more features.Virtual Story Time with GrandkidsReadeois an app that lets your senior loved one have virtual story time with the grandkids. The platform has over 150 children's books to choose from, which can be read together through the integrated Book Chat. Guest memberships are limited to the book of the month, while members pay $9.99 per month for full library access and unlimited chatting.Virtual Movie NightsDo you miss getting together for movie nights with your loved ones? Hold a virtual watch party! Amazon Prime members can pull up a movie on their computer and click Watch Party to stream with up to 100 friends at once. Teleparty is another option. Simply install the free Chrome browser extension to sync the video you and your loved ones are watching on Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or HBO.LettersLetter writing isn't exactly the latest technology, but that's why it may appeal so much to your senior loved ones. Stock up on stationery, envelopes, and stamps buy some for your family members as well and become pen pals! Consider having children in the family draw special pictures to include in your letters as well. This is a great way for multigenerational families to bond. Plus, there's something special about receiving a handwritten letter in the mail.Special DeliveriesLetters aren't the only thing you can have delivered to your loved one's door. Surprise them with a bouquet of flowers, a care package of their favorite goodies, or a delicious meal from a local restaurant. Small gestures like this can make your family members day, no matter how far away you live.Home Care ServicesWith so many opportunities to connect virtually, it's clear that being physically distant doesn't have to stop you from bonding with your senior loved ones. Still, you may have concerns about their daily health and safety that you can't attend to from afar. Thats where home care services come in. At BrightStar Care we follow national patient safety goals and CDC guidelines to ensure we can care for your loved one safely in their home.Our nurses, CNAs, and caregivers believe that caring is more than just a job it's a way of life. We offer the most professional, compassionate care available in the comforting, familiar surroundings of home. With a full range of in-home services to choose from, were sure to meet your loved ones changing needs.

If you have an elderly loved one, you may have been waiting anxiously for the COVID-19 vaccine. Because COVID-19 symptoms can be more dangerous for older people, it's natural for you to want your loved one to receive a vaccine as quickly as possible. For some older people, however, getting the COVID-19 vaccine is an intimidating prospect. Because COVID-19 testing and approval took place at such an unprecedented pace, your seniors may have concerns, worries, or even fears about its safety. Here, we offer some suggestions for allaying those concerns and helping your seniors determine the best course of action for their health care.Start off with an open discussion. Acknowledge your loved ones worries with validating statements like I understand your concerns. Reiterate what the person says, to show that you hear what's being stated, in order to effectively communicate. Ask questions to better understand the others point of view. Offer information and provide reassurance.Talk about the efficacy rate of the vaccine. Seniors are at a greatly increased risk of serious consequences from COVID-19, which is why it's important for them to get the vaccine. They should know that the vaccine is a powerful tool against the virus, with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at 94.1% efficacy and the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at 95%. The most recent vaccine, from Johnson and Johnson, has a 90% efficacy rate, but studies have shown that its 100% effective in reducing severe effects of COVID-19, like hospitalization and death.Acknowledge concerns about risks. The vaccines were approved very quickly, so it's understandable that people might be worried about risks and side effects. However, they've been thoroughly tested. Research indicates side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are minimal, like a low-grade fever or pain at the injection site. Further, the information we have so far indicates that older adults may have a lower risk of side effects from the vaccine than younger people.Know who to trust. There's so much information and misinformation swirling around about the COVID-19 vaccine. Make sure to get your information from reliable, unbiased sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)or the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It's also smart to talk to your doctor about the vaccine. A person's doctor can not only explain the most recent COVID-19 vaccine update, but can also discuss whether the vaccine is appropriate, considering the individuals allergies and medical conditions.Talk about the testing. While the process may have seemed rushed, the vaccine testing was actually quite rigorous. It might be helpful to share information about how the vaccines effectiveness and safety were established.The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was tested on 44,000 people, with 41% if the participants over 56 years of age.The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial had 30,351 participants, including older adults, 25% over the age of 65.The Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials involved about 45,000 people, 34% of them over age 60.In trials for all three vaccines, scientists overseeing the studies observed participants after they received the vaccine and noted only minor side effects over the course of two months.Address the goal of a return to normalcy. The COVID-19 vaccine wont miraculously transports us all back to our pre-pandemic lives. However, seniors who receive the vaccine are taking the first step toward a less restricted lifestyle, a return to hobbies and in-person interaction with friends and loved ones.At BrightStar Care, we know that healthcare can sometimes be confusing, and caring for a family member can be challenging. Because we believe that caring is more than just a job, our nurses, therapists, CNAs, and caregivers offer the most professional compassionate care available, in the comforting, familiar surroundings of home. Further, because we have a Director of Nursing overseeing all care, at every level, whether personal or skilled, our patients and their family members have access to someone with insight regarding COVID-19 vaccination. If you have questions related to the vaccines, or any follow-up questions, feel free to ask and we'll offer expert advice.