Staying in touch during quarantine is important, but it is especially crucial when it comes to your loved ones, like elderly parents or grandparents.
Many older citizens might already feel isolated because of advancing age and medical issues unrelated to COVID-19, but forcing them to give up their social life and regular routines can be a particularly difficult blow to them. Given their high-risk category, however, it’s important that we do all we can to support them while reducing their risk of contracting this illness. Even when you’re unable to see your loved ones face-to-face, there are still plenty of ways you can be present in their life and let them know that you’re thinking of them.
With so many people stuck at home and looking for things to do, here are a few ways you can check in on your loved ones:
- Pick up the phone and contact them on a daily basis. Make sure they’re getting the nutrition that they need from their meals, and that they’re taking care of themselves.
- Suggest a fun hobby they can learn, especially if it’s something they’ve always wanted to try.
- Drop off a deck of cards or a few books they might like to read.
- Look into home health care services that can provide them with the resources they need while isolated.
- To keep your loved ones safe, contact them to get a list of groceries that they need, and leave it on their doorstep with a nice card. They will be appreciative to know that you’ve gone out of your way to care for them.
- Find a user-friendly tablet and install video conferencing software on it so it’s ready to go for them. Leave a note with simple instructions on how to use it, and schedule a time at least once a week to chat with them on screen.
Although staying in touch during quarantine can be difficult, it’s more important than ever that we all go the extra mile to take care of our loved ones. By asking what they need and finding unique ways to stay in touch, they’ll be able to come out of isolation feeling loved and appreciated.
Jimmy Clonaris is Managing Partner at BlueDot Cares, where he oversees operations, caregiver standards, and service delivery for in-home care across the organization. With more than 19 years of experience in healthcare and over a decade with BlueDot, he has been directly involved in building and scaling care programs that support individuals aging at home.
His work focuses on the practical side of care delivery. This includes caregiver training and oversight, care plan consistency, and coordination with families and local healthcare professionals. Jimmy is actively involved in ensuring that care is not only well-structured on paper, but executed reliably in the home.
Over the course of his career, he has worked with thousands of families navigating care decisions, from short-term recovery support to long-term in-home care. His approach is grounded in clear communication, accountability, and building systems that allow caregivers to deliver consistent, high-quality support.
Under his leadership, BlueDot Cares has grown to support tens of thousands of families while maintaining a locally operated, relationship-driven model. He continues to focus on strengthening the team, improving care standards, and ensuring families have a dependable partner when care is needed.
