Q. As we continue to watch southern states see a rise in COVID cases, I’m concerned about what our area will look like this fall. My wife and I are in our 80s and are fairly independent, although we’ve been relying on my daughter to bring us groceries. Since the start of COVID, my doctor has recommended that I stay isolated as much as possible because I have underlying health conditions. My daughter’s son and wife are expecting their fourth child later this month, and my daughter plans to help them when the baby comes. This means she’ll be out of town for a few weeks, and afterwards will self-quarantine before she visits us again. We could be on our own for well over a month and are unfamiliar with grocery delivery services. Do you have any tips to help us manage while she’s unavailable?
A. Congratulations on the arrival of another great-grandchild! It’s nice to hear positive news amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. I celebrate with you as you welcome a new baby into your family.
I’m glad to read that you are rather independent and are taking precautions to avoid coming down with the virus. Even as restrictions loosen and towns reopen, it’s important to remember that this virus is still active and lurking around. Since you have underlying health conditions and are older, you are certainly at high-risk for developing complications should you or your wife catch the virus.
Here are a few tips to help you and your wife manage while your daughter is unavailable.
Before she leaves, sit down, and plan a menu that can carry you through most of the month. Stock up on canned goods, frozen produce, and other non-perishable foods. Repackage and freeze meats according to your menu so they don’t spoil. You may be surprised how long you can get by without having to go to the grocery store yourself. Make sure you’re also well-stocked on toiletry items.
Another tip is to ask your daughter to teach you how to use grocery delivery. Perhaps she can open an account for you or walk you through placing an order a few times before she leaves. Although it may seem daunting to order groceries online, most stores have user-friendly sites to make the process easy for their customers.
If you’re not tech-savvy, your daughter could always place an order for you while she’s away. Ask if she’s willing to do so or will have access to the internet where she’ll be. Still try to plan ahead as much as you can and use this as a back-up option should you need anything from the grocery store in your daughter’s absence.
Finally, know that there are senior home care services available for you. Consider hiring a senior home care company for a month or two, while your daughter is unavailable. A caregiver could come once or twice a week to assist with care tasks, light housekeeping, or even with grocery shopping. You might find you like having a caregiver to help out every now and then and want to continue with services after your daughter returns home.
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