Isolation: Covid-19
I have been in an interesting place these last few weeks. So many of us are dealing with change in many new ways due to the pandemic of Novel Corona Virus. My Rooted Soul Counseling through this process has increased it’s dynamic and focused offerings to be able to be accessed and safe at the same time through the addition of an online telehealth portal that provides video chat and confidential care to all who are seeking it.
A message to the aging: I anticipate that this online offering is going to be a great savings of life and safety consideration to my clients that are in a more precarious age group. Also to younger members who would have the danger of transmitting the virus to their loved ones. I have heard how families are making the tough decisions to meet all of the needs of a family system that is diverse with different age groups. While death is a truth for all of us, we naturally are not asking it to be invited to our doorstep and entering in through COVID-19.
I know that my senior clients are isolated and hurting and seeking out connection. I have heard that they are fortunate to have loved ones around them who are checking in on their needs. However there are concerns about those who don’t have a connection to family systems and are more isolated.
My online portal, albeit is a little different than face to face, but It does connect with a real process, a real human being, a real connecting point and I enjoy so much the values and connectivity I sense when people who have lived longer than I enter in and interact with myself. I am hoping that those who are self isolating or quarantined would know that they are prayed for and I am thinking of them.
A message to the Tech Savvy Gen-Zer’s or Millenials : If you are a younger member of a family system that is tech savvy and oriented toward social media, don’t forget to consider how your knowledge of connecting through devices could be of great use to your parents, grandparents and great grandparents. I know there is so much that this age group is experiencing with change and at times they feel as though society has prevented them from being know as men and women who make a difference… Well here is a suggestion.
the young can connect the older…
We all are going through a worldwide pandemic and you are important in taking the gifting and knowledge of what you know to each of those you influence. In turn as a young person consider asking your loved one what their memories are about the history they have lived to know what they know from the past. Some of our older loved ones contain the knowledge of the past and the balance learned over time and their knowledge may be a piece of calm to help us all weather this time or create calm in this current climate.
A possible solution: So here is my “bridging” thought - Get your loved one a access to a phone, tablet, or laptop and set it up for them. Maybe even just hook up an old device to the WiFi for them. Consider how they may be helped. Find time to check in with them. Instruct them how to reach out online to their favorite people who are just as lonely. Provide a connection to yourself to help them overcome their fear of computers or technology and don’t just tell them you are there for them. Show them some love by offering to be their main resource for questions and concerns about how technology and this electronic socialization this thing works!
My recent forays into the world wide web have included making connections across the globe through this time of crisis. I had a man call just wanting to let me know he had arrived home after being separated from his loved ones for a month or more. Let me explain. I have been part of a team of dedicated support staff providing assistance to cruise ship passengers that are impacted by the virus. I know that it is a joy for those who are in quarantine just to call or be called and be able to connect with the voice of another. Another man also expressed to me that his greatest fear was being left behind or not remembered under the circumstances. I reassured that this wasn’t going to happen. That I was there to make sure his fear was not true, and that he was going to be safe. Others I have had a laugh or two with, and even feel bad that the client almost choked on her popcorn because I had said something too funny at the wrong moment, or something like that. But most of all be focused on what you can do for others and I know this love will also get some needs met for you. The isolated were encouraged to ask some questions, and having someone follow up on the outside was a lifeline for them. You can be a lifeline as well to those around you that is looking after their well being and your own. You might not be in forced isolation like some of these folks were asked to be by the CDC and HHS, as I discussed the emotions they were having but you could be the one link that can make a difference.
Just a thought… - Andrew