Is It Safe to Visit Older Loved Ones During COVID-19 Restrictions?

The continually changing landscape of COVID-19 restrictions and regulations has raised many questions about visiting hospice and palliative care patients in and around Wheeling, Illinois. LifeChoice strives to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible for everyone involved. We understand how important it is to stay connected to your loved ones during these difficult weeks and months. The decision to visit an older loved one who is nearing the end of their journey or in delicate health during the pandemic is difficult.

How Much Risk Is Involved?

Elderly people in palliative care situations have a high risk of catching the virus and developing serious symptoms. Much of the risk assessment involves understanding how COVID-19 spreads in Illinois and your specific location. You should also assess your contact with potential risks. For example, if you are quarantined and work at home, you undoubtedly have a much lower risk than if you go to a busy job and commute on a bus every day.

If you have any questions about risk, speak with the hospice and palliative care team currently assisting your elderly loved one. Senior citizens who are not receiving care still deserve consideration. Of course, the last thing family member, friend, or other loved one would want is to introduce a serious illness to the elder.

Tips to Make the Visit Safer

Make visits short to minimize risky contact. Visit from a distance, if possible. This could mean sitting at least 10 feet apart on a backyard patio or having a chat from the yard to the front porch. Always wear an appropriate mask covering your mouth and nose and consider sterile gloves if you are helping to purchase and put away groceries or perform other in-house tasks for your elderly loved one.

Quarantine before the visit also minimizes the risk of transmitting the virus to people with delicate health. Current recommendations suggest a two-week quarantine without any contact with the outside world or other people to make sure you do not have the virus to schedule a visit.