Keeping Seniors Safe, Comfortable and Socially Connected

Firsthand business at Alameda’s Waters Edge Lodge and Elders Inn assisted living residences is all about taking extreme precautions to limit the senior community’s exposure to COVID-19 and monitoring residents and staff daily for the virus. It’s working. Both communities continue to report that no residents or staff members have symptoms or a diagnosis of COVID-19. It’s testament to strict policies, safety measures, extra cleaning, social distancing and staff who continue to work diligently to keep residents safe and as comfortable during this time.

What’s interesting, however, is the creativity that’s gone into keeping seniors physically distanced, but socially connected to prevent isolation. AEC Living, the company behind these two residences, is building programs to help seniors stay in touch with each other and their friends and family on the outside.

Leveraging Technology to Stay Connected

Zoom, Facetime, and WhatsApp video conferencing has been installed on iPads that residents can use to make scheduled virtual visits with their friends and families. Conference calls are also available. If residents do not want to use an iPad or do not have a phone of their own, the staff will help facilitate a conference call. It’s amazing what a welcome smile, words of encouragement from a familiar face can be so precious and calming.

Face-to-Face Socially Distanced Visits That Are Pretty Wonderful

The Lodge and Elders Inn have set up an area at each residence where friends and family members can come and sit at a table and chairs outside, and call their loved one, who will be sitting on the other side of the window at the table and chairs inside the building. If the window wasn’t there they’d be sitting at the same table face-to-face. The Elders Inn staff celebrated a 100-year old birthday this way—with a sign and a cake—and everyone was thankful that this special occasion could still be shared.

Safe Tai Chi

Exercise is a fundamental part of keeping seniors’ bodies and immune systems healthy. The Lodge has found a way to make sure exercise still goes on–at a safe distance. The Tai Chi instructor made it possible to lead the popular Tai Chi class, by limiting participants and creating safe spacing with at least six feet between all participants. While all residents are being asked to self-isolate, the fitness staff is finding ways to hold other fitness programs safely, one-on-one and in widely-spaced very small groups, to help keep everyone healthy.

Carefully Accepting New Residents

While the senior communities are taking careful precautions and have strict protocols, they are also accepting new residents. So if you or someone you know want or need the security of assisted living during this time, you can find more information at www.aecliving.com or by calling 510-748-9700. Be sure to ask about AEC Living’s current $1500 move in special.