Providing remote eldercare support during the COVID-19 crisis

Caring for an elderly loved one is an overwhelming job and if one is far away from them during this Covid-19 outbreak it can add enormous pressure to the already prevailing stressors. As the number of people with Covid-19 increases, we all are aware that older adults are especially vulnerable and quarantining comes with a cost. Finding options to provide support to elders at this time is of utmost importance especially if they are living alone.

As Senior Care Specialists at Samvedna, we understand that social distancing can be hard for the elderly. Due to travel restrictions and lockdown in place we have switched our operations to remote support using the help of technology. With our proactive planning and setting up of remote connectivity in elderly homes we are able to continue to support elderly families for their logistic and emotional needs and help them deal with the ongoing health crisis.

Since 18th March, 2020 our team has been working remotely and despite not being able to make our regular in-person visits, we are using video chats, WhatsApp, emails and regular phone calls to remain in touch with our elderly.

• Providing for logistic support – We ensured that all families had enough groceries and medicines stocked up for at least a couple of weeks. However, as the country came into a lockdown we realized that the remote support will be needed for an extended period of time and hence we started coordinating with the local service providers (chemists, grocers) of the area to restock essentials for the families. We are also coordinating with local public utilities to ensure that any plumbing, electricity or water breakdown issues are resolved by them promptly.
• Providing for medical support – We have also been helping our elderly with access to medical assistance remotely through tele/video consultation with doctors to ensure they remain in good physical health. In some critical cases we have also been able to arrange X-ray and ECG services at home. We are also re-ordering medicines online and through some local volunteer help we assist in re-filling of the weekly pill boxes remotely.
• Providing for emotional support – During our regular online video chats we engage the elderly in different activities such as singing, poetry and book excerpt readings and engaging them in humorous conversations. We also suggest them which movies and serials to watch, or radio shows to listen to. Our objective is to encourage them to lighten their mood and remain positive.

This period, of social distancing can lead to an increased feeling of loneliness, frustration and boredom in elderly. We are encouraging our elderly to explore and learn on how to use technology to their advantage.

Samvedna Care has been working with elderly since 2013, as elder care experts, our team of psychologists and social workers are working diligently to ensure the physical and emotional health of elderly remotely. We all hope that this hour of crisis will be over sooner than later and we will be able to resume our normal lifestyles.