Rethinking the Holidays and Visiting Older Family Members During Covid-19 Pandemic

As the holidays season near, families begin to arrange travel plans for special dates, including Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Hanukkah. Unfortunately, like everything else this year, the holidays will take a whole new dimension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

We are all craving quality time with our loved ones, but coronavirus is bringing into question the risk it poses on the seniors. Experts agree that adults over age 65 run at higher risk of developing life-threatening health complications from COVID-19 because their immune system weakens by age and prevalence of underlying health issues.

With the surge of new cases around the country, it only takes one asymptomatic person at a family gathering to cause an outbreak. Additionally, patients with dementia or cognitive impairment might be unable to communicate their symptoms and infect the elderly, grandparents, and others.

If your family entails elderly members, health authorities advise using protective measures like masks, handwashing, social-distancing, and limiting close contact to 15 minutes or less. For families with loved ones in senior living facilities, they can schedule safe virtual communication using FaceTime, Zoom, and other social networks, so that elderly won’t feel left out.

Scientists urge people to rethink alternative ways to celebrate while limiting exposure, like having a virtual gift exchange, seasonal cooking class, read-aloud and singing. For more details, check out the CDC’s official guidance on holiday celebrations.