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Mentor

Isolation: How Do We Handle it?

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Mar 16, 2020

As boundaries are being mandated in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, these boundaries are affecting every area of our lives. Many hospitals, assisted living facilities, places of worship, libraries, restaurants, community centers are being closed to visitors and public gatherings. For many of us, these keep us from our typical ways of connecting with others and engaging with a supportive community.

What are you doing to keep yourself connected?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Parus | @parus | Mar 22, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @adk, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. In my humble opinion, it is easy to sell..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @adk, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. In my humble opinion, it is easy to sell ourselves short in difficult times. You mention what to do with a culmination of this five years work. I'm really not sure what you are referring to but maybe it's just a simple matter of trying to learn from the past and do better in the future. I have always tried to learn from the mistakes I've made in the past...not to say that I haven't repeated some of those mistakes. 🙂 May tomorrow and the following days be better for you than today.

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@johnbishop I have learned many things through mistakes-those stepping stones to learning and growing.

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Parus | @parus | Mar 22, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "I think being alone and isolated can be considered two different things. Like others here, I..." + (show)
@gingerw

I think being alone and isolated can be considered two different things. Like others here, I am an introvert by my base nature. But there are still sometimes when I want to have some interaction with people. I rebel against those who say I have to be isolated. Of course, I just don't do well with rules anyways LOL. Being able to go for a walk and wave at neighbor helps, as does watching people in a distance, or even hearing people doing their yard work. That serves to not feel so isolated.

In this time of mandated isolation or less frequent contact with others, I'm fine with grabbing art supplies or books to keep myself busy. So far I have not Resort it to taking on long overdue projects like sorting through old papers or finding things that need to be recycled. To me those will always be there!
Ginger

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@gingerw Think any of it can be used as toilet paper???

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mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Mar 22, 2020
In reply to @parus "The most difficult thing for me is no time with my grandson. I so miss his..." + (show)
@parus

The most difficult thing for me is no time with my grandson. I so miss his energy, hugs and playfulness. Fortunately his dad is still working with hazard pay. I tend to be more the solitary type. Grocery shopping is it for me. These employees are to be heralded. I also bake bread for those unable to get bread. Hoping to get more flour tomorrow. Being a creative cook is helpful. Some of what I do to handle the isolation from family and neighbors.
I do email and text with family. I stop here at connect at times to see how others are doing.
This has certainly rearranged our lives. Still smiling too.

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Yes, I miss my only grandchild. My son sends videos of him but it's not the same as being with him. He is going to be 2 this summer and I don't know if I can be at his birthday. He's getting a good vocabulary and I just miss cuddling him. My daughter's birthday is next week. She said they have a fruit cake they brought back from England before this virus outbreak and that would be her birthday cake. I guess those of us who are healthy have to be grateful and pray for those who are not.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Mar 22, 2020

@mayofeb2020 and @parus, if you have't already, please join the discussion
- Hey there grandmas and grandpas.....opportunity knocks! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hey-there-grandmas-and-grandpas-opportunity-knocks/

In this discussions grandparents are discussing creative ways to stay connected with the grandkids.

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endgame94 | @endgame94 | Mar 23, 2020

FaceTime with my daughters. Facebook with other family. Also watch our pastor online for church service.

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3 replies
Ellen | @helenfrances | Mar 23, 2020
In reply to @endgame94 "FaceTime with my daughters. Facebook with other family. Also watch our pastor online for church service." + (show)
@endgame94

FaceTime with my daughters. Facebook with other family. Also watch our pastor online for church service.

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Thank you for the reminder of Facebook ...it reminds me that my grandson wants to Skype. New ways to communicate as grandparent 🤗

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cecilias | @cecilias | Mar 23, 2020
In reply to @endgame94 "FaceTime with my daughters. Facebook with other family. Also watch our pastor online for church service." + (show)
@endgame94

FaceTime with my daughters. Facebook with other family. Also watch our pastor online for church service.

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Wonderful, those will bring you such great memories! I dearly love my friends, but my God given family, Wow! Enjoy the time folks..Celia

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Mar 23, 2020
In reply to @johnbishop "Hello @adk, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. In my humble opinion, it is easy to sell..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Hello @adk, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. In my humble opinion, it is easy to sell ourselves short in difficult times. You mention what to do with a culmination of this five years work. I'm really not sure what you are referring to but maybe it's just a simple matter of trying to learn from the past and do better in the future. I have always tried to learn from the mistakes I've made in the past...not to say that I haven't repeated some of those mistakes. 🙂 May tomorrow and the following days be better for you than today.

Jump to this post

Hi @johnbishop, I wish I could "triple like" this post about the mistakes of the past and looking to the future. Nice writing!

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1 reply
cecilias | @cecilias | Mar 23, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "Yes, I miss my only grandchild. My son sends videos of him but it's not the..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

Yes, I miss my only grandchild. My son sends videos of him but it's not the same as being with him. He is going to be 2 this summer and I don't know if I can be at his birthday. He's getting a good vocabulary and I just miss cuddling him. My daughter's birthday is next week. She said they have a fruit cake they brought back from England before this virus outbreak and that would be her birthday cake. I guess those of us who are healthy have to be grateful and pray for those who are not.

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I know what you mean. Before we retired and our Grand Children were babies I missed them so much. We lived in Fl. They lived in Mo and Va, now they are in their mid twenties and call often. I thank God their parents spoke of us often. Please be happy you now have Facetime and at least they see you ! Blessings Celia

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1 reply
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 23, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hi @johnbishop, I wish I could "triple like" this post about the mistakes of the past..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hi @johnbishop, I wish I could "triple like" this post about the mistakes of the past and looking to the future. Nice writing!

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Thanks @hopeful33250 appreciate the kind words!

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