How to Feel Less Isolated While Social Distancing

This post is sponsored by Depend® Brand. All opinions and statements are my own.

As I’m sure you are all aware of, we’ve been instructed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to socially distance ourselves until we are told it is safe to do otherwise.

Social distancing is defined as deliberately increasing the physical space between people to slow the spread of infection, disease, or virus. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, staying at least six feet away from other people lessons your chances of catching COVID-19.

Other examples of social distancing include:

Canceling any event that is likely to draw a crowd of people
Closing schools and offering online classes
Postponing conferences or offering a virtual conference
Working remotely from home instead of going into the office
Visiting loved ones using electronic devices instead of in-person
Avoiding crowded retail stores, mass transit, and visitors in your house

As family caregivers, we all have received a lesson at some point in isolation. When I first layered on the caregiving responsibilities for my mom while working and raising children, I had time for little else. I was desperate to figure out my “new normal.” I just wanted glimmers of my old life to return. I was overwhelmed, isolated, and fearful that my situation wouldn’t improve.

Sounds familiar to where we all are now with the lifestyle takeover of COVID-19.

So as family caregivers, how do we stay connected while safely socially distancing ourselves?

Thankfully, we have several options to feel less isolated with technology.

Apps
Online Communities
Volunteer Phone Bank
Zoom Support Groups
Facetime Phone Calls
Social Media

Smartphone Applications

Marco Polo

The Marco Polo app is like texting or group texting, but you share video clips or photos. Unlike the reactive ding of your text reminder, Marco Polo can be less disruptive because you record your video chats and watch other people’s only when you want. It’s also fun to react to the videos using the provided emojis in the app. We have a ‘Sister Weekend’ group that includes my two sisters, niece, and cousins who go on our annual getaway each year. Marco Polo is how we stay connected in between these visits, and especially how we stay connected with Susie, who as mom’s primary caregiver in remote Northern Michigan, needs to see our faces and hear our stories at a time most convenient for her.

Online Communities

NextDoor.com has been a great way to ask for some help from a neighbor. I frequently see updates related to what is closed and open and where you can now find toilet paper and cleaning supplies. I’ve also seen posts where others are volunteering to help run errands for others. Kindness is contagious as many others are commenting on this post that they can help, as well.

Beyond Happy Healthy Caregiver on Facebook, there are some other amazing caregiving-focused Facebook communities. Here are a few others I frequently use:

The Incontinence Community – With visitation being limited or eliminated, chances are you are getting even fewer breaks than you were before. Dealing with the messy and stinky situations while juggling even more than you had before can wear you down. Members in The Incontinence Community will get what you are going through.
The AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group – Many are sharing how tough it is to be isolated from their loved ones who are in senior living facilities. I even saw a sweet post in there where a group member was visiting their loved one through a window.
There are also a few private groups I follow and recommend including: Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Support and Get In the Lifeboat: An Online Resource & Community for Dementia Caregivers

Nationwide Volunteer Phone Bank

There are so many people, particularly seniors, who are not able to access the outside world like they wish.

Mon Ami will set them up with calls by phone or video. The calls can be daily, weekly, or anything in between. It won’t just be a random person calling – all their volunteers are looking to make lasting connections.

#CancelEverything except kindness: Mon Ami’s Volunteer Phone Bank is ready! They have over 100 volunteer callers!

This is a completely free service and it’s available now. To sign up, start here.

Zoom Support Calls

Don’t cancel your dinner date or book club! Have it virtually instead! We all need the breaks, so consider the alternatives before you just cancel. Maybe you and a friend can catch up over Zoom versus meeting for lunch. What about a group Zoom workout to maintain accountability?

I facilitate the NW Atlanta Daughterhood Circle, a monthly support group for family caregivers. We usually meet at a wine and tapas bar, since this is often one of the few times these caregivers have an evening out. For the next couple of months, we’ll be opening our own bottles of wine and coming together via our computer screens.

As a Certified Caregiving Consultant, I also offer coaching calls that we can do over Zoom or the telephone. During our calls, we can setup your ‘new normal’ self-care plan, discuss how to establish boundaries, or talk through how to get more help with the responsibilities on your plate.

FaceTime Phone Calls

As a long-distance caregiver, I rely on FaceTime to stay connected with my mom and my sister, who is mom’s primary caregiver. Now that I’m not seeing people as much, I am using this feature more and more. And, I’m even getting more comfortable talking without make-up and in my leisure wear!

Social Media

I hesitated putting social media on this list, but social media isn’t all bad. We all just are advised to limit what content we are taking in and the frequency.

I enjoy seeing how others are coping in close quarters, what’s making them laugh, and the random acts of kindness.

After all, we are all in this together.