How to Avoid Isolation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

by | 05/14/2020 | Patient Resources

Challenges bring out the best in us. COVID-19 has shown us to be resilient and adaptable but, it has also made life difficult for many individuals who need to isolate themselves for their own health and safety. Elderly individuals, specifically, may have to isolate themselves from friends and family for an extended period of time. This isolation can harm a person’s emotional and physical well-being, and we must do what we can to care for their overall health and wellness. Fortunately, there are many tools and resources that help us to remotely care for our loved ones and, we have outlined a few options for people who are looking to decrease the effects of isolation on themselves and their loved ones during this unprecedented situation.

Utilize Technology

There are many technological options that help us to stay connected and healthy during isolation. U.S News and World Report states that video chatting applications like Skype, Apple Face time, Zoom, and many more can help older adults to avoid depression.  The report states that these more technologically advanced methods of communication are more effective but, more traditional modes of online communication like email and text messaging programs can have some benefits as well. These methods of communication aren’t perfect but, they are a great way to maintain social relationships from a safe distance.

Know Where to Go for Help

Many organizations are dedicating themselves to helping the most vulnerable deal with the difficulty of isolation. Endsocialisolation.org has compiled a list of resources for people who are suffering from the effects of loneliness. These helpful resources may give you information and assistance that can help you to weather this storm and help your family to do the same.

Make a Plan

The first step toward achieving any goal is to make a plan. Work with your loved ones to set specific times to video chat or speak on the phone. These plans will not only ensure that everyone is on the same page but, they give everyone a positive social meeting to look forward to even though they are staying safe at home. Making a plan with your loved ones may seem simple but, it is one of the most important steps that you can take.

Don’t Lose Sight of What’s Important

Staying healthy does not only include avoiding COVID-19, maintaining overall health should still be a top priority for every individual. Additionally, there are many health conditions that can make the effects of isolation even worse.  Audiological health can play a major role in an individual’s mental health and overall wellness. Maintaining hearing health is another way that you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the effects of social isolation.

My team at All About Hearing is dedicated to keeping our patients safe and healthy during this pandemic. We understand the challenges our community is facing because we face them as well. Our team will continue to help patients tend to their overall health during this crisis and into the future. If you want to make a commitment to your hearing health, contact us to discuss how we can help you or to schedule a safe teleaudiology appointment so that we can evaluate your needs.

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Leah Guempel, Au.D., CCC-A

Dr. Leah Guempel received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders in 2007 and her doctorate from the University of Texas in 2010. While in graduate school, Dr. Guempel was named outstanding first year graduate student in Audiology and Sertoma outstanding graduate student in Audiology. During graduate school, Dr. Guempel had several clinical rotations she completed throughout Austin including rotations at Dell Children’s Hospital and an ENT practice. Dr. Guempel also had a rotation at Cook Hearing & Balance as a student clinician, and after completing her 4th year rotation there, worked as a Doctor of Audiology in the Austin and Cedar Park locations. Dr. Guempel became the audiologist at the Cook Hearing & Balance office in San Marcos when it opened September of 2011. In December of 2012, Dr. Guempel bought Cook Hearing & Balance in San Marcos and renamed it Central Texas Hearing Center. She then opened the Central Texas Hearing Center in Lakeway, Texas. Dr. Guempel is licensed to practice Audiology in the State of Texas. She is a Fellow of the American Academy (AAA) and holds a certificate of clinical competence in Audiology from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). Dr. Guempel has a passion for hearing awareness. She enjoys her field of practice and hopes to inform and educate the community about the importance of early detection and the use of hearing protection. She is dedicated to helping those who suffer from hearing impairment. In her free time, Dr. Guempel enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and anything outdoors.

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