While you may have experienced social isolation for the first time, this is a very common and enduring struggle for most seniors, especially those in nursing homes, assisted living, rehabilitation, hospice, or home care. It is important that we take this time to recognize that the social and mental obstacles we were and are facing in our daily lives during this quarantine are the same difficulties these seniors face for weeks, months or even years at a time.
Some frustrations you may have faced resulting from recent mandated or self-imposed stay-at-home orders and guidelines consisted of boredom, inactivity, the lack of visitors or seeing family, missing out on your favorite restaurant foods, gyms, parks, etc. It is important to realize most seniors in long-term care face this same “lack of” list every day. They are often confined to their bedroom with potentially limited access to a living room, lunchroom, small outdoor area, fitness, or recreational areas. Limiting an individual’s environments can create an array of physical, mental, and behavioral health obstacles that can be exacerbated when adding to preexisting conditions like Dementia, Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, MS, or other cognitive degenerative disorders greatly decreasing one’s quality of life. The most important step in tackling the effects of isolation starts with a focus on one’s physical health and comfort.
Caregivers and long-term care facilities should take many steps to engage seniors to perform and participate in activities of daily living (ADLs) and other extracurricular activities. However, if a senior is unable to maintain mobility and is confined to an uncomfortable chair, wheelchair, or at worse remain in bed for the majority of the day, how can they benefit or even participate in the basic daily activities that provide mental and physical stimulation? Selecting the correct and comfortable mobility and seating equipment is critical and can make a world of difference in a senior’s quality of life. Giving these individuals back their comfort and mobility also gives them back independence and dignity, along with physical and mental engagement. With these solutions, our loved ones and seniors in long-term care can participate with their neighbors and friends within the home, in the facility-run activities, and communicate their other health symptoms better to caregivers.
Not only is the right mobility and seating equipment stimulating their mental health, but it also improves comfort during daily living activities as well. Actions as simple as brushing their teeth, sitting upright long enough for a meal, going to the restroom, or taking a bath can be challenging for these people who are not comfortable and happy in their primary seating solution.
Not only is the right mobility and seating equipment stimulating their mental health, but it also improves comfort during daily living activities as well. Actions as simple as brushing their teeth, sitting upright long enough for a meal, going to the restroom, or taking a bath can be challenging for these people who are not comfortable and happy in their primary seating solution.
So, while social isolation hopefully will only be temporary for the bulk of the population during a pandemic with light at the end of the tunnel, there, unfortunately, might not be a “going back to normal” for individuals in long-term care. Social isolation is an ongoing and continual challenge for those in long-term care. It is the responsibility of us, the caregivers, and those in the community to step up and work together to make sure they are receiving the best seating and mobility equipment to not only make them comfortable and improve their quality of life but to fight against the stigma and effects of social isolation.
