Thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and nutrition in recent years, we are living longer than ever before. But this increase in life expectancy also brings an increase in the number of diseases, injuries and impairments that affect older adults. With this in mind, we at the local Visiting Angels office in Salem have created this series of articles to keep our older population and their families informed and to offer some practical advice for meeting the challenges faced by seniors and those who care for them.

——

Thanksgiving is a holiday when families get together, old friends catch up with one another, and we spend time with the ones we love. Unfortunately, many of the holiday gathering traditions we cherish may be difficult for seniors dealing with physical or cognitive limitations, and with cases of COVID-19 on the rise as the weather cools, social gatherings can put older adults at risk.

Seniors challenged by arthritis, problems with mobility or other age-related physical impediments, may come to dread the holiday gatherings they once treasured. The prospect of overcoming those limitations in order to prepare a family meal or leave their home to attend holiday celebrations may be daunting and could even lead to seasonal depression.

To make it easier on loved ones with mobility issues, families may consider relocating their gathering to a location that is easily accessible for those using a walker or wheelchair, and they should keep a path open to the location where their older loved one will be sitting. That way, their older relative will not have to worry about maneuvering around tables and chairs to get to their seat.

If physical limitations are preventing that older relative from preparing the traditional family meal, or they’re not able to find the energy to put the meal together, other family members can chip in and get the meal ready for them. In cases where that relative takes pride in preparing the traditional meal, the family can let them continue to prepare one dish or a dessert, and they can offer to help if needed.

Families whose older members have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia will want to plan out events well in advance and discuss them with their relatives often to minimize surprises. They should follow routines as much as possible and schedule time for their family member to relax between events. Gatherings with fewer family members may be less stressful for relatives with dementia, and talking about those relatives who will be attending the gathering may help offer some context once they arrive.

Of course, COVID-19 remains a concern for many older adults. When the global pandemic first reached the United States in 2020, many seniors chose to limit their contact with others outside their home, even after shelter-in-place orders had been lifted. That decision extended to holiday gatherings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even warned that in-person holiday gatherings should be avoided by those most vulnerable to coronavirus complications, a group which includes seniors.

While most older adults are no longer living isolation for fear of the virus, they and their family members may want to take several factors into consideration before joining others for Thanksgiving dinner. Seniors should also consider the number of people attending the gathering and how long they will be staying. As the number of guests increases, so does the chance that one of those people will be an unwitting carrier for the disease.

Similarly, the more time spent around someone with the coronavirus, the greater the chances are that the virus will spread to others. To limit that exposure, seniors should attend gatherings with a limited number of people and should spend as little time at the gathering as possible. All guests, not just older adults, should avoid the gathering if they feel sick, especially if they are experiencing symptoms consistent with those of COVID-19 or know that they have been exposed to the virus or tested positive for it.

——

Information provided by Visiting Angels, America’s choice in homecare. Visiting Angels’ non-medical homecare services allow people to continue enjoying the independence of their daily routines and familiar surroundings. Visiting Angels Salem was recently recognized by HCP as seventh on the list of Top 100 Leader in Experience agencies in North America. To set up an appointment for a no-obligation in-home consultation, call 330-332-1203.