Low-tech Ways for Older Adults to Stay Connected During COVID-19

Guest Contributors Kay Vanags and Emily Winker Finding ways to stay connected during COVID-19 can be a challenge. Despite 90% of individuals between ages 65-69 and 44% of individuals age 80+ using the internet (Anderson & Perrin, 2017), connectivity can still be lacking in places like rural Iowa. Many of the ways older adults are … Continue reading Low-tech Ways for Older Adults to Stay Connected During COVID-19

Long-Distance Caregiving During COVID-19: Tips from Aging Experts

Guest Contributors: Maria Donohoe and Emily Winker According to a recent AARP and National Alliance of Caregiving study, 11% of family caregivers reside an hour or more away from the person for which they provide care (2020), known as long-distance caregivers. Caregiving tasks often include assistance with daily living activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, preparing meals), … Continue reading Long-Distance Caregiving During COVID-19: Tips from Aging Experts

Social Isolation and Elder Abuse During COVID-19: What Experts Say We Can Do

Guest Contributors: Angie Guss and Crystal Doig The COVID-19 virus has been referred to as a “hidden enemy.” The policy response to this hidden enemy was to stay home or “shelter-in-place.” As older adults participated in these policy recommendations and mandates, another opportunistic, hidden enemy strengthened itself in the sheltered shadows of COVID-19: elder abuse. … Continue reading Social Isolation and Elder Abuse During COVID-19: What Experts Say We Can Do