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ADVICE FOR THE AGING COMMUNITY Reintroducing Seniors to Socializing as Pandemic Restrictions Ease By, Howard Seidman-Guest Blogger As New Jersey and Pennsylvania ease Coronavirus pandemic restric- tions, greater opportunities to reintroduce seniors to socializing should emerge. That’s great following the 3+ months of social isolation many have faced in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. But before deciding to take grandpa on a wild ride down Main Street, remember your loved one may need time to adjust to interacting again, so take things slow. And remember, just because you and your loved ones can leave the house, doesn’t mean appropriate protection – i.e. masks, hand sanitizer, social distancing recommendations – should be thrown to the wind. Here are a few ways to help reintroduce your ag- ing adult to socializing: 1. Scout a park or wide trail to visit. Research whether the area has wide, smoothly paved paths that af- ford easy wheelchair navigation. That holds true for navigation by peo- ple using walkers or those with balance issues. Bring a chair to set up in area that provides shade and appropriate social distancing. Use your time for talking or having a cool drink together. 2. Drive your loved one to the homes of friends or relatives and ar- range to meet on a front or back lawn. Be sure to give the people you’ll be visiting ample notice of your arriv- al and make sure they agree to wear masks. Ask that your hosts set up seats six feet apart. 3. Bringing your senior to your home for a backyard cookout or takeout meal. Make sure to limit the number of people attending. Situations where many people touch the same utensils or eat from the same container’s places everyone at higher illness risk. 4. Visit them If your senior’s physical abilities include trouble walking or getting in/ out of cars, it may be best to bring visitors outside of their facility rather than taking the person somewhere. Be sure to check with the facility to ensure meetings can be accommodated. The easing of pandemic restrictions will hopefully allow you and your family to experience being together with aging loved ones. But

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remember, it doesn’t mean that you should stop practicing the ways you have been commu- nicating with them while they were locked down. Phone calls, video chats, texting, emailing, or even written notes should con- tinue.

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