January 1, 2021

Your Advocacy Connection

By Gail Glockhoff-Long
GolderCare Solutions

Pollyanna Looking for a Covid Silver Lining

The year 2020 was a challenge for even the most optimistic person. As COVID-19 dragged on month after month with social distancing, mask-wearing, and limits on group sizes, pessimism built. Even with the new vaccines, it will be months before we will be able to return to normal. It has been depressing. Let’s take a more optimistic approach and look at one way the past year has changed us from Pollyanna’s perspective.

As the virus spread and states started limiting group sizes, we, both individually and as a community of social people, found workarounds. We got creative. We had car parades for birthdays, returned to drive-in theaters, changed from sit down dining to carry-out, visited with family through
windows and gave air hugs.

The biggest change was the move from in-person meetings to virtual meetings using Zoom or similar products. It is amazing how quickly this became the new normal for routine medical visits, organizations, club meetings, family visits, worship services, funerals, working from home, and informational workshops. Even people in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s have figured out how to join a virtual gathering.

Virtual gatherings were created to continue life in as normal a manner as possible while still keeping people safe. The silver lining of this move to the virtual world is increased accessibility.

This is the Mid-West and winter is here. How many events have you missed in the past due to snow, ice, cold, or because you did not feel well? Not a problem now. Just open your computer and attend from the comfort of your home. Many doctors now offer Tele-med appointments where you can see each other and discuss symptoms using your smartphone or laptop.

This virtual world now allows those that have difficulty getting out and those that live out of town increased accessibility to attend gatherings and events. Many nursing homes and senior living centers have added i-pads to their arsenal of activities to allow their residents to attend events. This allows more inclusion and connection for our seniors.

Those of you that have followed the GolderCare Aging Empowerment educational series in the past know that the live meetings have been canceled since last March. We are aware of the interest in the series and will again offer the series in 2021 but in a virtual format. The webinars will all offer question and answer time to allow the attendees to ask questions. As in the past, topics will vary each month to cover the many questions of aging.

Topics to be included during the year will include Veteran’s benefits, what to expect when you go to a nursing home, how to navigate Medicaid spend-down rules, what you need to know to stay home longer, what ducks you need to have in order as you age, what are the options to staying at home alone, and many more. The monthly topic, date, time, and registration will be posted on the GolderCare website www.goldercare.com.

Will virtual gatherings replace in-person gatherings in the future? Let’s hope not. Touch and the nuance of in-person interactions cannot be replaced by a computer screen. Let’s also hope this new more accessible and inclusive option does not go away.

GolderCare Solutions Unlimited, LLC is an independent care advocacy group for seniors, the disabled and those that care for them. You can reach GolderCare at (309) 764-2273 and learn more at www.goldercare.com.

Filed Under: Community, Personal Growth

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