Older adults urged to ask for help

Office on Aging says many fearful to leave home during pandemic

For Lorain County’s older adult population, the novel coronavirus pandemic has had different implications, including loneliness and isolation

Lauren Ksiazek, executive director for the Lorain County Office on Aging, said she recently had a chance to speak with her social worker staff, and was unsurprised by what they said about their clients.

“There’s a lot of fear,” Ksiazek said. “Our older adults are fearful of leaving home; they’re even afraid to have family members come into their home.”

That fear also has reduced call volume to the organization, leaving senior citizens feeling they can’t ask for help at the risk of being exposed or exposing someone else to the virus, she said.

Ksiazek said she also heard of clients avoiding going to doctor’s appointments, which she fears will backload other chronic illnesses for older adults and cause further problems down the road.

“We don’t want our clients to go without necessary medicine that they need,” she said.

“Make that contact if you continue to be concerned about their safety and their mental status.”

— Lauren Ksiazek, executive director for the Lorain County Council Office on Aging

Given the circumstances, the Office on Aging is urging those who are feeling isolated or are in need of certain resources, but don’t want to put themselves at risk, to call its offices and speak to someone who can help.

The organization can help older adults by connecting clients with resources and contactless prescription, grocery and meal delivery.

“We can do almost all of our work on the phone remotely,” Ksiazek said.

Meals are still dropped off on doorsteps by volunteers, requiring no physical contact, she said.

Hygiene bags also are available through the organization thanks to funds from the Community Foundation of Lorain County.

Although resources are available, Ksiazek said she knows these social distancing measures still can make clients feel isolated, since the Office on Aging’s volunteer and client relationships often are strong and help promote connection and social interaction.

With the holiday season just starting, Ksiazek said now is as good time to connect with grandparents through Zoom, FaceTime, or even card and letter writing.

Especially if an older relative is starting to distance themselves or their mental health is declining, giving someone something to look

forward to can brighten their day or week, she said.

“Make that contact if you continue to be concerned about their safety and their mental status,” Ksiazek said. “They (families) can give us a call; families specifically ask us for resources.”

She said a call a few times a week can make a difference, as well as dropping off food and meals.

Older generations are more familiar with keeping in touch via letter, which could bring comfort to an otherwise lonely situation.

Either way, Ksiazek urged that it’s important that families don’t gather and put their most vulnerable members at risk this holiday season.

“Make those decisions now, so they’re here next year,” she said.