My father-in-law is 93 and is healthy and active. He lives alone now since he recently lost my MIL after 72 years of marriage. This, of course, was very hard on him. Fortunately, my husband comes from a family of 10 and everyone has pitched in to keep Dad engaged and involved. We each take a night for dinner and he either drives over or has dinner at his house with one of his kids.
I know I can't control his decisions or the decisions of the rest of the family but I am so afraid of giving him the virus and would never forgive myself if he got sick after coming here. We've been pretty careful about going out and live in an area where there is only one case locally so far but I know this is just the tip of the iceberg too. We've offered to drop dinner off but I think it would be almost as bad to isolate him. He's a very social person. And he said he'd rather come over like he has for the last several months.
What to do???
If he can use a computer or cell phone, you could have video chats with him.
If these things won't work and he understands the seriousness of covid19, ask his doctor if a home health person could go to check on him, things to be done at the house. It will be hard for you to get your hands on protective coverings, but if you can - maybe you can work out a visit wearing the right clothing. This is very hard as a caregiver in the home - you have a really tough situation.
MAKE HIMI DINNER, AND DESERT AND KNOW THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE NOT TO BLAME IF HE KEELS OVER TOMORROW MORNING... It is NOT YOUR FAULT...
If he gets lonely and starves to death, then YES, BLAME YOURSELF...
Life is going to happen. with or without your meals.
I heard on the news today,,, 1,400 people died over this weekend in Italy? Did I hear that correctly... The caskets were piling up faster than they could lay them in the ground... Crematoriums are running non-stop in Italy, and IN CHINA..
I heard that China cremating so much non stop to try to curb this virus..
I don't honestly know... But I do Know That your FIL needs his family more now no matter the cost... HE WOULD RATHER BE WITH FAMILY THAN ALONE.... Give that to him..
Loneliness is way worse for him from lack of human connection.
It's very hard because I have spent the past year preventing social isolation.
if the link gets cut it’s the Washington post April 3rd post reports- and there is a transcript you can read but it’s far better to listen and hear the emotion in these people’s voices...