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Page 12 21074 Mohave Road, Parker, AZ 85344 Phone: 928-662-4283 Fax: 928-662-0044 PLEASE STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY DURING THIS DURING THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC. WE MISS YOU ALL! FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (928) 662-4283 8 Ways to help your grandparents during the Coronavirus Pandemic By: Jackie Menjivar During times like these, , and in the case of the coronavirus pandemic, older adults are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from COVID-19. 1. Minimize your risk. Keeping your loved ones safe starts with keeping yourself safe. For those who live with or care for an older adult under one roof, it’s important to practice as much physical distancing as possible, maintain safe home hygiene, and consider wear- ing a face mask when shar- ing space. 2. Reach out. Being physically distant doesn’t mean we have to be socially distant! Reach out to check in on them even a reg- ularly scheduled phone call is enough to show someone you care. 3. Help run errands. Your older loved ones still need food, medicine, and other basic supplies, so if you’re at a lower level of risk, try to help out where you can. 4. Teach them how to use tech. In a world with limited physical contact, the next best thing is a virtual connec- tion. Chances are your grandparents may not be all that tech-savvy, but it’s never too late for them to learn! 5. Write letters. If the tech lessons aren’t working out, you can always go for a more old-school approach. Letters will be very valuable family keep- sakes marking this time in history. 6. Drop off a care package. The older folks in your life are probably feeling a lot of those same things. Beyond the essentials, think about the things they’d like to have to make the time go by a lit- tle easier, and drop off a few in a care package. You could include maga- zines, treats, crafting sup- plies, cozy socks, family pho- tos, personal care products, or really anything else that would make them smile. 7. Keep them informed. Help your loved ones stay informed by looping them in to the timely stuff they need to know, from sources that can be trusted. Stay updated through the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and your local health department. Pass along any new information or guidance to the older adults in your life to keep them in the know, and help them find answers to the things they’re not sure of. 8. Volunteer. If your older loved ones reg- ularly volunteer somewhere, see if you can help fill in the gaps in their absence. Plus, you can help a lot of at- risk adults directly through volunteering.