Imagine finding yourself moving from your safe home and neighborhood into a strange new Assisted Living apartment. There are plenty of new friends to be had, but wait, this is a Pandemic, there is nowhere to meet and greet. You can’t even see family in person.
You try waving to others while making your way around the complex to pick up necessities; but with no names and barely a face due to masking, who are these folks?
You try reading, watching TV or using the computer, but it is just not the same as a real life person. Maybe you even try phoning someone, but they are probably busy working. You feel isolated, perhaps even a burden for the family who may feel they need to visit more frequently, via pane glass window. It is cold outside and you fret something may happen to your loved ones. Maybe you decide sleeping all day and night will pass the time faster, but it really doesn’t. Then, every day is like Ground Hog’s Day.
Warmer weather is around the corner for a chance to meet and greet outside, make new friends, or see old friends and family. A change of pace will be good for everyone.
We need to be wary of what happens in isolation, old and young. Remember, you need to be your own advocate or have one. Friends and family can be some of your best advocates, particularly those who visit often and can easily spot patterns and changes in treatment or behaviors. For those who have been isolated during this pandemic, the realities of masks and social distancing only exacerbated the loneliness, isolation and neglect experienced by some in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
If you or your family member has experienced neglect at the hands of an assisted living facility or nursing home, contact Murphy & Landon at 302-472-8100 or 866-939-8100.
