By Dr. Cliff Colwell, STAY COOL Advisory Council Member
There has always been a special bond between grandparents and grandchildren and this bond is exemplified in the humorous quote, “If I had known that grandchildren would be this much fun, I would have had them first.” This special bond has been seriously infringed upon by the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge is how to keep the bond strong without jeopardizing the health of either group.
To carry out a plan of this type, there must be an understanding of the disease process as well as the available measures to prevent the infection, prior to the development and institution of a worldwide vaccine with the potential eradication of the disease itself. What we have learned about the disease and it’s spread indicates that it is extremely contagious, but has a very short life span outside its host and it has a much bigger impact with respect to hospitalizations, need for respirators and even death in the older age group, especially those with other debilitating diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Grandparents may well fit into one or more of those categories and whereas grandchildren appear to be less susceptible to the disease, they might well be carriers. With this amount of information, we can start an effective plan to keep the grandparent and grandchildren bonded.
If there is a significant distance between the grandchild and grandparent, there are now platforms available for the two to talk and see each other at the same time such as Zoom, Skype and MS Team. These programs as well as others provide for active interchange through videos to share, as well as reading-aloud avenues. Reading Legacies has an up to date reading list as well as books on other age-related subjects. Many hugs and kisses can be given virtually with at least a modest degree of loving support. Having family pets available for visualization, and playing table games, many of which are available on the Internet can also be helpful.
Closer proximity of the two groups either by driving and ideally walking both allow for closer contact, but at greater risk. In this case, the six-foot distance and the mask take on vital roles. Since the disease and serious manifestations are most often respiratory in nature, eliminating this avenue is vital to preventing the transmission. Depending upon the grandchild’s age, one can make up games: as an example, use of a six-foot piece of solid material such as a tree branch to demonstrate the distance that allows “ elbow bumps” using the device as a gauge. Masks can be made and painted or colored with many different designs by both grandparents and grandchildren together. As the grandchild advances in age, more appropriate educational tools are available to better understand the disease as well as the development of vaccines. The goal is to make the bond even stronger as we face this pandemic together. Keeping the connection is vital.
