Keeping Calm During a Crisis

March 17th, 2020 | COVID-19 Helpful Information

Let's do what we do best – help each other.

 

When we hear rumors about COVID-19, a.k.a. the coronavirus, our reaction can be exaggerated. For your neighbors and loved ones with cognitive decline or dementia, our current restrictions or what we've come to call “social distancing” can aggravate anxiety, anger, distress and isolation.

 

You can help. Use your good attitude and positive outlook, and share them with people who don't naturally approach crisis with calm. Like the sign says, "Keep Calm and Wash Your Hands."  Be that person. Here are some more tips.

 

Stay calm, protect yourself and help other people. First, be a good role model for others. If you project an attitude of calm, rational caution, this will restore your own sense of control and ease the anxiety of those around you. Don't pretend that COVID-19 is not serious, just say that your chances of exposure are at a minimum when you follow precautions.

 

Keep the news updates to a minimum. Avoid the steady diet of media that would make any usually calm person anxious or fearful. Check reliable news sources once or twice a day. Then, take comfort in the fact that now you know about the hazards of the disease and you're doing all you can to protect your yourself and your neighbors.

 

Get the facts. Look to established health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO) website. Visiting two or three of these comprehensive and credible sources will answer all of your questions and confirm that you're getting the right information.

 

Take the high road. When you find a newspaper or online article with pictures that does a good job of explaining, save it. This can be calming and informative at the same time.

 

Repeat positive stories to counteract the rumor mill. Well-meaning friends are easy to listen to and are often "full of facts" that don't portray the actual situation and can encourage dangerous behavior. There are plenty of stories of people who have recovered from a coronavirus encounter. They testify to the validity of trusting the health authorities and relying on the support of loved ones.

 

Engage family and friends and encourage peers, especially knowledgeable older adults and retired medical professionals, to volunteer in neighbor-checking. Build a sense of residence and a network of outreach. It's rewarding and effective.

 

As a friend of Legend Senior Living® community, be comforted by the fact that you're surrounded by caring, dedicated professionals and that cleanliness and the best practices in maintaining sanitary conditions are already routine throughout our environment.

 

Stay calm and keep in touch! Let us know what we can do for you.