How housing society members can care for the senior citizens living alone during the pandemic

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India is engulfed by the third wave of the pandemic. The health machinery and the front line workers are trying their best to ensure that the wave is well managed and that the people get proper treatment. Unlike the first and the second wave the government and the people are better prepared to handle any kind of situation. There are more number of beds, oxygen and other medical supplies. But there is only so much the machineries can do. Rest of it lies within the hands of the people and how we manage this situation

During the last two waves several housing societies and the members took initiatives to ensure that the members are safe and healthy and are not affected by Covid-19 as much as possible. Stricter rules, facility of providing door to door groceries, care centers with beds and other medical facilities were all part of the initiatives taken by the housing societies. Several housing societies also provided the facility of testing centres and door to door testing of the residents so that they could avoid queues also to ensure correct data reaches the Government.

Social Distancing and the pandemic could be particularly a difficult time for the elderly as they are among the vulnerable groups and also their movements get restricted in case of their care givers absence to serve them. Many senior citizens live alone in their houses or flats as their children are in different cities, or simply because they do not have anyone of their own. Their day to day work is dependent on their domestic help/ caregivers who help them manage their day to day activities. Not only do they help them run errands but also provide psychological support to them and help them combat loneliness.

During the pandemic it was seen that several elderly people lost touch with their care givers as their entries were restricted by the housing societies fearing infection. This left the senior citizens alone by themselves and created lot of difficulties in accomplishing their day to day tasks. However, in many housing societies we saw members acknowledging this and taking several steps to ensure that the senior citizens were cared for and looked after. Listed below are some of the steps one can take to ensure that they are cared for and are not feeling isolated or neglected.

1)      Arrange timely tiffin service for them.Housing society members can take an initiative to ensure that they get home cooked food and that too on time. This is important for the senior members who can neither cook nor do chores on their own.

2)      Regular cleaningof their house is also very important in order to ensure that they do not get any infection. Designated staff should be allowed to visit them after proper temperature check and should maintain proper social distancing while carrying out their duties.

3)      Running errandsis also an aspect which should be taken care of. There are several things which they may require in a day such as medicines, groceries, household supplies etc. Since they are not advised to go out during pandemic or some of them could be disabled it is important that members reach out to them time to time to see if they need anything

4)      Providing physical support is important but providing psychological support is also equally important. Social distancing should not lead to social isolation in any way. Several senior citizens may find it difficult to cope with pandemic mentally as they have no one to talk to. Many of them are also not that tech savvy which further makes them more isolated. This brings us to our next point

5)      Trainingthem to make video calls and use chat services. Several senior citizens may find it difficult to use the technology as they never had to. But pandemic has left them with no choice. In order to ensure that they are in touch and also able to share their situation from time to time, they have access to internet and smart phones through which they can book appointments, or simply let others know if they need anything.

6)      Arrangement must be made to get them tested from time to time and to ensure that they are able to book appointmentsthemselves. If they show symptoms or come out positive, the housing society must make arrangement for their hospital visit or arrange a doctor for them in their house. They should also be able to book appointments for other checkups such as BP, diabetes etc.

7)      Arrangement of vehicleto take them to hospital visits is also important so that they don’t have to struggle to find public transport during pandemic. Social distancing must also be carried out to ensure they don’t contract any infection while their hospital visits. Any housing society member can take an initiative to accompany them to such visits.

8)      Set up emergency contact and speed dials in their phones and train them to use it. Also add Covid 19 emergency contact number in their speed dial.

9)      Ensure that they have access to internet, TV, books, games to help them keep entertained as they may find it difficult to kill time alone.

10)   If they can walk and do their own chores, make them understand the need to practice social distancing and the need to avoid unnecessary visits outside. Do not send them to buy groceries, or run errands as they are vulnerable and more susceptible to Covid.

Thus by taking these few steps one can ensure that the senior citizens are better cared for and don’t feel left out due to social distancing. We can only fight this pandemic if we care for even those who are not capable of caring for themselves.

Green Clean India (www.greencleanindia.com) is an initiative to exhibit the collective power of Housing Societies, by providing a common platform across the country to interact and exchange thoughts that best suit community living. For details on how we can help you make lifestyle changes, do contact us at +919717938018 or write to us at wecare@greencleanindia.com