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Posted on June 3, 2020 - To find a paradox in senior well-being, we need look no further than today! We know that staying socially connected is vital for the mental health of seniors. And yet, social distancing is the key ingredient to help them avoid the coronavirus. Not long after social distancing began, we quickly saw news articles about older adults taking to Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger and other platforms to keep in touch virtually with children, grandchildren and friends. No, it’s not the same as an in-person visit and a big hug—not by a long shot. But it’s the next best thing, and it comes without the risk of infection.

Posted on June 1, 2020 - “Of all the hardships imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, few are as poignant as the reshaping of relationships between children and the grandparents who love them.” From Kaiser Health News, a look at how grandparents are making hard choices these days.

Posted on May 27, 2020 - By now most of us are well aware of steps we can take to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. It’s top of mind for most folks when we think about our health at this time. We wash our hands, use hand sanitizer when we can’t, avoid touching our face, wear a mask when advised to do so, and keep our distance from others. And yet, we could be inadvertently increasing certain health risks during this time. Diabetes, osteoporosis, hypertension, heart disease, stroke … chronic and acute health conditions aren’t taking a holiday right now! It’s important not to overlook some of the “side effects” of social distancing that could put our health at risk in other ways.

Posted on May 25, 2020 - University of Hawaii Manoa public health experts say that when it comes to motivating older adults to get enough exercise, social relationships are very important—but that can be a real challenge during quarantine. “We must find innovative ways to maintain connectedness and physical activity, while also following public health guidelines,” said the study authors.

Posted on May 25, 2020 - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is much in the news right now. From grocery clerks to medical staff, bus drivers to nursing home aides, essential workers need protective clothing, goggles, and other gear to ward off the coronavirus and stay safe. The rest of us also need masks and gloves, not just for our protection, but to protect others from ourselves.