During the month of March our Homes usually welcome college students on alternative spring break trips. This year we have been forced to shutter our doors in an effort to keep out the coronavirus.
If you've been following the news you know that
the elderly are the most vulnerable group with regard to the bug
.
While the population at large is being encouraged to practice social distancing, seniors are increasingly being told not to leave home at all.
As we do our best to beat the bug
I feel compelled to make a plea —
no matter how dire the situation becomes,
please don't abandon the elderly!
Take stock of the seniors in your family, apartment building or neighborhood...
- Offer to pick up groceries, medicines or other necessities; if you need to avoid direct contact you can leave them on their doorstep.
- Since many seniors are not accustomed to online shopping ask if they need help ordering needed items and arranging for home delivery.
- Drop off home-cooked meals.
- Call seniors on a regular basis to make sure they're O.K. and lift their spirits.
- If the seniors you know are interested in using technologies such as skype or face time to keep in touch with loved ones, help them to set this up.
- Offer your services as a dog walker.
- If your senior friend is Catholic but can't get out to Mass (public worship is already being suspended in some areas) ask if you can help them arrange for a Eucharistic minister from the parish to bring them Holy Communion. They might also wish to be anointed.
- No matter what faith community they belong to, make a call to remind their pastor they are still out there and may need attention.
Last but not least, pray
for an end to this epidemic!
