How to Stay Safe in Assisted Living During a Pandemic

4 min read

We have all seen images and heard stories of older adults confined in long-term care communities during the pandemic: family members speaking through windows, a granddaughter showing an engagement ring through glass, a son calling his father from outside an apartment window, or a couple bringing a newborn to visit a grandfather without entering the facility. These moments make clear how COVID-19 changed the way families, residents, and care teams connect.

As a psychologist who specializes in working with older adults and their families and who regularly provides education and training to long-term care communities, I have a view into the inner world of residents, concerned family members, and the staff who care for them. Below are practical, compassionate recommendations to support quality of life, safety, and communication in assisted living and other senior care communities during the pandemic and similar public health crises.

Recommendations for Surviving the Pandemic in Assisted Living

The most important recommendation of all

The single most effective approach to improving well-being for residents and easing stress for families and staff is teamwork. When residents, families, and care teams work together, everyone benefits. The strategies below are designed to support collaboration, strengthen relationships, and promote safety and meaningful daily life for older adults in residential care.

Older Adults Living in Senior Care Communities

Common experiences and feelings during COVID-19:

Feeling powerless or lacking control
Feeling trapped or confined
Worrying about being a burden
Feeling abandoned or forgotten

Recommendations for residents

Look for and create moments of joy: share smiles with staff and other residents, celebrate small milestones, and focus on positive connections.
Participate in organized activities the staff provide. Group or individual activities can boost mood and structure each day.
Maintain basic self-care: try to eat and drink regularly, get out of bed, spend time outdoors when possible, and keep a simple daily routine.
Engage your mind and hands: work on a small project, write or record life stories, draw, or do puzzles to foster purpose and mental stimulation.
Reflect on earlier times you overcame hardship to remind yourself of your resilience and coping strengths.
Keep in touch with friends and family through phone calls, video calls, letters, or other available methods.

Family Members of Older Adults Living in Senior Care Communities

Common experiences and feelings during COVID-19:

Helplessness and worry
Desperation or anxiety about the unknown
Fear for the health and emotional well-being of loved ones
Uncertainty about policies and care practices

Recommendations for families

Call your loved one regularly and focus on quality conversations. Keep calls positive when possible, and use simple prompts or familiar topics for relatives living with dementia.
Send letters, photos, or care packages if the facility permits; tangible items can provide great comfort and connection.
Keep communication with the care community constructive and positive. Make sure they have your current contact details and ask how they prefer to update families.
Designate a single family member as the primary point of contact with the community. This simplifies communication for staff and reduces conflicting messages.
Create an easy system for sharing updates with extended family—options include a private group text, a closed social media group, or a simple email distribution list—to keep everyone informed and reduce repeated calls to staff.

Senior Care Communities

Common staff experiences and feelings during COVID-19:

Being overworked and often under-resourced
Feeling caught between safety protocols and family expectations
Fear and concern for residents and their own families
Feeling underappreciated despite long hours and emotional labor

Recommendations for care communities

Create consistent opportunities for sensory, social, and physical stimulation—be explicit about the schedule and publicize it to residents and families. Examples include daily outdoor time, staff-assisted video calls, small-group activities, safe exercise sessions, and healthy meal options.
Offer shared goals or projects residents can contribute to, such as a community art display, a memory book, a garden, or a themed weekly focus that encourages participation and enhances meaning.
Communicate proactively with families. Send weekly newsletters or updates that include activity highlights, photographs (with permission), and clear descriptions of safety measures—how staff health is monitored, sanitation routines, and protocols for medical changes.
Explain how the community is keeping residents engaged and whether services such as physical or occupational therapy remain available. Detail options for family communication and the policies for dropping off meals or care packages.
Talk with residents regularly to reassure them, acknowledge the hardship of the moment, and emphasize that they are safe and cared for with compassion.
Recognize and praise staff efforts. Regular appreciation, clear expectations, and visible support improve morale and retention.

Helpful resources

CDC guidance for long-term care communities — consult the official CDC website for up-to-date recommendations and infection prevention resources for senior living settings.