As we begin to engage in family visits and get-togethers again, it can bring a certain degree of anxiety to many of us, especially our older relatives who may remain skeptical about vaccines, health protocols and just getting back to socializing again. The CDC has issued new guidelines loosening the protocols for those who have been vaccinated. And, yet, so many of us still find ourselves hesitating to go back to a pre-pandemic “normal”.
If you’re one of those people, you’re not alone! An American Psychological Association survey found that 49% of those surveyed reported feeling uncomfortable about the return to in-person interactions. That was also true for 48% of those who received the vaccine! So the struggle is real.
Navigating through a post-pandemic world can be especially challenging for those living with dementia. Their anxiety levels can be raised under normal circumstances. So, the act of getting back to pre-pandemic activities can trigger confusion and raise stress levels. There have even been reported cases of PTSD among otherwise sociable adults for whom the enforced isolation during the pandemic created unanticipated bouts of depression.
If you are a family caregiver for a loved one living with dementia, your journey back to normalcy can feel like a balancing act between meeting your own comfort levels and those of your loved one. Here are some tips to hopefully make it a bit easier on both of you:
Above all, give yourself and your loved one the time and space to transition at a pace that is comfortable and non-threatening. Remember, this pandemic had many of us, especially older adults, shut off from the outside world for well over a year. We can’t expect to bounce back in just a few weeks, or even a few months.
We are all looking forward to a summer filled with family, friends and fun. Be safe, respect others’ feelings, choices and emotions and be patient, with your loved ones and with yourself. Better days are ahead.
(The top image is of residents of Grace Point Place Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois, enjoying some sun and conversation together!)