Woke up this morning obviously concerned about coping and alternative methods, anticipating either a "lockdown" or a "shelter in place" order from the governor, then decided I needed instead to focus on how to deal with being confined. I read a few articles online and thought I'd share them, and ask others what you have read online (or elsewhere, such as in magazines), and/or what your own coping methods are.
1. Communicating with family or friends in facilities that are locked down.
Window visits: this family created signs, called their grandfather and suggested he look out the window. I'm guessing this "made his day", to see his family outside, reaching out to him.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/weddings/despite-coronavirus-pandemic-hartland-family-finds-a-way-to-surprise-grandpa-at-retirement-home/ar-BB11vdRa?ocid=msedgdhp
I'm thinking folks here could perhaps make arrangements by phone with staff to let residents/patients know that there will be some outdoor visitors, and to look out the window at a certain time.
I wouldn't come en masse as the cited family did though, and if more than one member could visit, they could stagger visits between morning and afternoon, giving the elder a twice a day "pick-me-up".
As to memory care, I'm not sure if this could work; I've never been in a MC hall and don't know if all the residents have windows.
And if there are Good Samaritans who want to visit, they too could get on the visitor's lists for specific times.
Perhaps the facility could set aside a few parking places for "special visitors."
2. For Catholics: An innovative priest is providing "drive-by" confessions.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/with-churches-closing-us-priest-offers-drive-thru-confessions/ar-BB11uuK9?ocid=msedgdhp
For this priest, and parishioners, I just hope he has some good weather going forward and that there are no blizzards to interrupt this practice.
Anyone else read about unique coping methods? Please share!
I hope all states will have something in place for those who cannot go out to the stores. We have free food pantries as well for people to have something to eat.
It's the gun shops I don't get.
On a more serious note - I'm sending little videos to my Mom's nursing home so they can show her each day. I'm writing notes and mailing them to my grandkids (trying to show them how it was to be a pen pal back in the day), calling folks who might need help and reading a lot. These things reduce the anxiety surrounding the unknown - at least for a while.
I will take a gin and tonic! My husband was the handsome bartender 😊. I ordered a gin and tonic and the rest is history!
Hahaha, my daughter was a bartender in college too, just like her daddy. They make great tips!
I miss my dog. I have never been without a dog for cat for long. I swore after putting my grey down that I couldn’t take the heartbreak again.
My friend who works placing the greyhounds in homes said that I should foster but I know what would happen. I would bond with the dog and never be able to say goodbye. Have any of you fostered a dog?
My husband is home too. I am listening to conference tech calls all day!
I always say if more humans had some of the qualities that dogs possess- the world would be a better place. But now? Dogs would be an utter failure at “social distancing”. Their loyalty, their need to love, comfort and protect would be their demise if they had to distance themselves from their humans.
It’s makes me smile - a rarity lately - at the thought that more of these wonderful creatures are finding homes and their humans - in spite that it took this disaster to make it occur. I just hope that this isn’t a hiccup- such as people buying rabbits at Easter - and that once this is finally declining the dogs are abandoned.
I've had eight dogs over the past 35 years and every time one passes I swear I’ll never have another. The heartbreak for me is devastating. But - I always break down and get another.
Right now, we have three Cavailer King Charles Spaniels. The sweetest dogs ever! Their offical identifier is “The love sponge of the dog world” and it’s certainly accurate - in my experience. I highly recommend the breed to anyone who needs a smallish breed dog who is dedicated to just loving you. But before anyone investigates a breeder - check all the rescue organizations first as there are always those that need a forever home or foster care.
My hubby says it’s a good thing we have a small house with practically no yard - or I would become the neighborhood crazy lady with dozens and dozens of dogs.
Then we got the greyhound. He stole my heart. I absolutely adored that dog! I hope our animals are in the afterlife. I miss him. Greys are the sweetest dogs ever! He was big! I would want a small dog again because they are easier.
I think about fostering but I know I could never let go.
I am with you. I hope this last too and people don’t get rid of their animals after the crisis. All they want is to loved.
The Newfies were so friendly, so big, and so thick with fur. I could just love them and pet them for hours!
I volunteered for the ‘meet and greet’ dog showings for the greyhounds. I liked doing those. We went to book stores and other shops.
I cried so much when I had to put my dogs down that my vet would call me at home the next day to check on me.
Yeah, my vet happens to be a personal friend of ours but I think he would call anyone because he is very compassionate. He knows how much we love our fur babies.
Why does this bag of rice have 4,237 grains of rice and this one only 4,156 grains? Guess I better count them again....
😳😉
As others are making fun, getting irritable at those who howl, the movement is taking hold across the country.
I guess it is a coping mechanism, when you feel so all alone and then hear someone howling back.
One naysayer posted, "Can't they just sing?" That is what Italy has done.
Come to think of it. getting so bored as to criticize others who are coping IS one way of coping, yes? = letting off steam.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/heartwarming-video-shows-how-people-are-thanking-first-responders-during-coronavirus-outbreak/vi-BB11YTZ7?ocid=msedgdhp
I think that's a great idea.
I've been thinking of putting up a sign on the front lawn thanking medical personnel and first responders. There's a hospital near here and I suspect that employees have been the ones zooming up and down our street at shift change. Whether they or haven't, I want to thank them, as well as the police/fire department employees.
It's a beautiful spring day here so my youngest son and I picked up litter on the side of the road. We picked a dirty area and, sadly, we got 6 (kitchen-sized) trash bags in a mile long stretch of road. On the positive side, we were outside, socially isolated, and away from a screen.
I'm glad we kept my MIL's grabbers after she passed away!
We'll do it again tomorrow before the SIP goes into effect.
Hang in there everyone!
My mom is in AL and I have not been able to visit since March 12 and have been told they will be on visitor restriction until April 30. She will turn 98 in May. I'm an only child. I can hear the decline when I talk to her, she already had a bit of cognitive issues when she entered AL this past summer but the isolation is taking it's toll on her. She's in Catholic facility and they have managed to keep daily mass on closed circuit tv going and so proud of her that she figured out how to access it. I feel awful about not being able to see her but we speak on the phone at least 3x a day and we both pray. We're going to be able to video chat with her this weekend finally.
This has been a wake up call for me. I thought I had all my necessary documents in order, will, POA, etc. but realized..I have never made any type of funeral arrangements. So I did call one of the local mortuaries this week and the woman I spoke with said so many have felt the same and they have been wildly busy with people purchasing pre-arrangements not wanting to leave their families to deal with that. I also have just one child.
I read a lot, make a daily gratitude list, listen to podcasts, play with my dogs out in the yard. They are senior boys 13 and 15 so hard to walk very far with them but we have fun.
I've been cooking more than ever and have had an interesting time trying out new recipes.
Hubs and I are cleaning and spiffing up this place the best we can.
Really just trying to be mindful, grateful and taking it one day at a time.
After the first round, I could read a book or Kindle and just keep walking....
Did you grow up in a rural town? Do you have kids? I have two daughters. I always read to them. One of their favorite books when they were little was about a country mouse who lived in the country and the city mouse who lived in the city. It was a cute way to teach them about the country.
Thanks for sharing. So interesting to read about others. I grew up in one house. My mom grew up in a city, New Orleans where we lived.
Daddy grew up in a rural area outside of Panama City Beach in Florida. We went to Florida every summer. Daddy loved Florida.
Once I asked him why didn’t he bring mom back to Florida after they married and he told me that she wanted to be close to her mom and dad, my grandma and grandpa in New Orleans.
I think it would have been cool to move around like you did. I am a gypsy at heart and you sound like you definitely are. I have only lived here in New Orleans.
Traveled some, but never lived in another state. Might be fun to live somewhere else. I love my city and it’s vibe but I wouldn’t mind a change of pace.
I love animals too. I always had dogs and cats. Animals bring so much joy to our lives. They are our fur babies!
I don’t have an animal now and I miss having one. Torn about getting another one. Not sure if my heart could take losing another one.
It does stink that we are all going through this crisis but it helps that we have each other.