Healthy and creative tips to ensure your loved one is safe, and you practice self-care while caregiving at home.
If you are a primary caregiver caring for an elderly loved one, you may be confined to your home while your family practices social distancing. Here are some healthy ways to ensure you and loved one are safe and cared for. We hope our practices will help your family create a plan for your own home.
In addition to stocking up the pantry and frequently washing your hands, you will want to limit visitors to your home. Not being able to see your parent or loved ones in person can be difficult for other family members. Try using FaceTime to see each other or call often so you can hear their voice. Take photos of your parent or make a short video and share with your family in a group email or text message. This connection will reassure others while keeping your loved one protected. And as a caregiver, you need the support of your family and friends as well. Take breaks in your day to reach out to others on the phone or via email.
Our culinary team has been hard at work, providing immune-boosting and nourishing foods and drinks to our residents. We added a new bone broth soup to the menu, and we are encouraging residents to drink our signature ginger tea. Food can be a source of both comfort and prevention. Serve healthy meals and make sure your loved one is staying hydrated for optimal health.
Fruits and vegetables are essential to a healthy diet. Because you are not frequenting the grocery store as often, you may not be able to get fresh fruits and vegetables weekly. We suggest that you stock your freezer with plenty of frozen or keep canned fruits and vegetables on hand. You may want to make a large pot of soup loaded with fresh greens to freeze for future meals. Berries, bananas, and peaches can be frozen and used for smoothies. Dried fruit, such as raisins, prunes, apricots, and cranberries, are a great source of fiber, iron, and antioxidants, so add these sweet treats to salads or eat as an afternoon snack. Frozen spinach, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and green beans make a perfect side dish or can be combined with pasta or rice for a main dish.
According to the International Food Information Council, these items are recommended for a healthy pantry of long-lasting products:
And for your freezer, these items are recommended:
As we practice physical distancing within our communities, our Life Enrichment teams are filling each day with planned activities and entertainment to be enjoyed within their apartments. While you are at home, keep your parent engaged with uplifting activities. Perhaps it’s time to tackle that 1,000-piece puzzle, start to prepare the garden for spring, or read a forgotten book. Since you are already disinfecting surfaces, a deep spring cleaning might be a healthy distraction and give you a fresh outlook.
In the kitchen, have your loved one teach you and your kids how to make that favorite family dish, how to tackle a souffle, or try creating a new recipe with pantry staples. To keep your family meals interesting (especially if you have children at home too), try a themed dinner, like a make-it-yourself omelet or baked potato bar, brinner (breakfast for dinner), or an indoor picnic!
At our communities, our seniors are engaging in technology and using our Fire Tablets for trivia, Words with Friends, TED talks, Sudoku, exercise videos, and more. Right now, many museums, businesses, and organizations are offering creative, free online resources for you and your loved one to explore:
If you are a concerned adult child who may need to step in to care for your parent, or are already a primary caregiver, looking after yourself and your health may be the most important piece of advice at this time. You can’t be strong for others if you are not healthy yourself. Follow the guidelines given by professionals, and don’t neglect your own health.
Here are a few tips to stay healthy and take care of yourself:
At Aegis Living, we are taking measures to make sure that our staff is healthy. If you are the primary caregiver for your loved one and get sick yourself, we suggest that you have a contingency plan in place with your family. Who would be able to care for your loved one? Are they familiar with how to care for your parent—prescriptions, personal care, preferences? Do you have medical supplies on hand? Taking proactive steps to protect your loved one and plan for disruptions will help alleviate stress. The CDC offers some useful information on planning and preparing your household for the coronavirus. Check out the CDC recommendation for preparedness.
If you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer care for your elderly loved one it will help if you are prepared in advance. Contact your nearest Aegis Living community and speak with the Marketing Director for information about other care options for your loved one and to receive a Preparedness Kit. The kit will help you organize your state-required documentation so that you are ready if you need to make plans for your family member to move to an assisted living community for support.
We understand that you are nervous about the health of your elderly loved one. You are not alone. At Aegis Living, we know that preventative measures and preparation can reduce the risk of infection. But we also know, just as importantly, that keeping our residents happy and engaged will combat feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. This is tough on everyone. But for those caring for the elderly, it can be especially difficult. We hope these ideas help your family find some comfort.
From our family to yours, be safe and healthy!
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.