Article written by: Alexandra Cohl
Photo by Larry Crayton on Unsplash
Back in August 2020, I wrote a post about pandemic pods and how we could apply them to senior living. Part of that piece included a conversation around “cognitive decline or emotional and mental distress” that elderly folks, in particular, were experiencing due to separation from fellow residents and their families. As the end of 2020 was upon us and we approached holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, families were becoming more innovative in how to visit with family, virtually or in person, in the safest way possible--more specifically with a focus on harm reduction. Now, as we approach our second celebration of Mother’s Day within the pandemic, the same approach can be applied. And, yet mothers living in senior living or assisted living facilities and their families have even more options to consider. With the increase in vaccine distribution, the amount of people vaccinated, and the relaxing of guidelines for in-home visits, the possibility of an in person celebration has become more of reality. Depending on the facility, “hugs and kisses are allowed…[though] not at others. Some communities have had to abruptly cancel reunions because of new outbreaks among unvaccinated employees or residents.” Similarly to the winter holidays, much of these decisions will have to be made by each family and with keeping in mind the current guidelines for that facility and the information surrounding vaccines and safe visitations. For the families who are not ready to engage in an in person visit or whose mothers are in facilities with more stringent guidelines, there are so many ways to show love for elderly mothers this holiday. Oakmont Senior Living has provided a helpful list of ideas for thoughtful gifts, such as compiling a video of her grandchildren wishing her a Happy Mother’s Day or a playlist of her favorite songs (specifically great for those struggling with memory loss). Or, if she is like my grandmother, she would greatly appreciate a homemade meal. In addition to those ideas, there have been greater initiatives in place to ensure that mothers do not feel lonely and the other mental distress that can come from isolation such as the “Assisted Living Locators, a nationwide senior placement and referral service, [which] is launching "Mother's Day Messages Of Love.” They will be collecting and distributing cards to senior moms at different assisted living and nursing communities throughout the U.S. If last year has taught us anything, it is that staying connected is of the utmost importance--and it doesn’t have to look like how we always used to envision it to be. We may even find better ways to celebrate.
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