This week’s newsletter is a bit of a departure. Instead of our usual articles covering a wide range of relocation topics, this is a letter of gratitude.

Full credit to Brian Keating from Dwellworks, who inspired me by stating so well recently on an ERC webinar that he was grateful to be a part of that panel and the industry as a whole. Brian gave voice to what many of us likely have been feeling: a boost of connectivity and a spark of inspiration every time we come together, however we come together.

The analogy of all being in the same boat doesn’t quite fit these days. Instead, we’re more like individual dinghies in the same harbor or – on stormier days – novice surfers riding the same rogue wave. But you all are like a lifeline, a life jacket, and a compass all rolled into one.

Virtual information sharing has become both necessary and welcome. Worldwide ERC, International SOS, AIRINC, and various RMCs are providing excellent content. The weekly Benivo sessions have been lively and informative.

Plugging in to virtual calls and webinars on a regular basis has helped illuminate the larger picture, frame specific issues, and identify potential paths forward. Six months into pandemic-induced isolation, we’ve worked very hard and come a long way.

So whether you are an industry organizer, service provider, corporate leader, sponsor, or other supporter of global talent mobility, thank you for sharing your expertise and best practices, and for – as Brian put it – making us feel like we’re together even though we’re not.

Hope to see you soon, maybe “at” ERC in October.

Written by Ellen Harris, GMS, Product Manager, Content Group

…To keep your balance you must keep moving.”

Hurricane season is upon North America. The Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking from mid-August to late October. The Eastern Pacific season runs from May 15 to November 30.

The Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico are very active this time of year. In fact, 2020 has already broken the record for the most tropical storms before August 1 (there have been nine).

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Administration  (NOAA) in the U.S., the countries with the most hurricanes over the past 50 years are China, the Philippines, Japan, Mexico, the United States, Australia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Madagascar, and Cuba. In addition, other regions have monsoon seasons and cyclones.

While there is less travel these days due to the coronavirus, millions of people are still at risk for storm disruption during this season. Whether you are at home or living somewhere unfamiliar, there are steps you can take to stay safe.

1. Local resources: Tap into government websites and preparedness resources in your area. These often provide warning system details, evacuation routes, and status updates during and after the storm. They may also list places to get essentials like water.
2. Household preparation: By the time a storm’s strength is realized, many essentials may be in short supply. Stock up on water, shelf-stable foods, ice, and other staples ahead of time. If you need a generator, purchase one – and a supply of gas – while they are still available. Charge your electronic devices and back-up chargers. Gather flashlights and lanterns before you need them.
3. Plan ahead for emergencies: If you have family members with unique needs, make a plan for those health issues. For example, if someone in your household is on oxygen, arrange for extra portable tanks that can be used in a power outage. If someone takes medication that must be refrigerated, prepare extra freezer packs to keep the medicine cool. Provided you have an idea of a timeline for the emergency (power restoration, e.g.), you might consider a hotel room in an area that has electricity. In extreme circumstances, evacuation may be warranted.
4. Consider pandemic complications: COVID-19 precautions and restrictions turn storm response on its head. Cooling centers and charging stations are fewer and more risky than pre-pandemic. Neighbors helping neighbors – access to a hot shower or a cool place to sleep – becomes problematic. Affected residents need to change their usual post-storm behavior. Even the everyday issue of where to work can be challenging, with vastly more people working at home but searching for a place to plug in and power up. And rescues in flood-prone areas place people in close proximity out of necessity.

Planning ahead is the common theme here. Especially during this pandemic, do everything you can for your safety, health, and communication needs during a storm. Finally, patience and a positive attitude are valuable attributes in the best of times. In challenging times, they can make a huge difference for yourself and everyone around you.

Written by Ellen Harris, GMS, Product Manager, Content Group

These days, many of us would benefit from a good, therapeutic scream!  Fortunately, the country of Iceland has stepped up to the task.

Since travel remains limited throughout the globe, the website Looks Like You Need Iceland invites visitors to “let it out” virtually. Read through the tips for scream preparation, offered by Icelandic therapist Zoe Aston. Choose one of seven gorgeous Icelandic settings — which include a beach, a waterfall, and even a dormant volcano.  Press the yellow “Tap to Scream” button. (You’ll be told: “Please scream responsibly. The world is listening.”) If you give your browser permission to access your microphone, your scream will be recorded and played over a speaker in the actual location that you chose. And if it helps to know you are not alone, you can also listen to the screams of others around the world!

If the idea of visiting the location of your scream someday appeals to you, the website also offers information to help you plan an eventual trip, as well as the country’s current COVID-19 status and travel restrictions.

Written by Erin Fitzgerald, GMS, Content Manager

Have you or someone you know been separated from an elderly loved one during the pandemic?

Maybe your situation is as simple as not being able to visit a parent or grandparent because of their age or risk factors, or because you live in a hot spot and can’t risk traveling to them. Perhaps an international assignment has left you stranded abroad.

Residents of care facilities and their families have the added burden of being isolated. In an effort to stop virus transmission, visitors have not been allowed in-person contact in many places.

Finally, you may actually be responsible for an elder’s care, which can be complicated by concerns over personal visits, resorting to remote communication with the loved one and medical personnel, and the general angst and separation brought on by service shut-downs.

Here are some ways to address these:

Navigating a virtual world
Workers aren’t the only ones who have quickly adopted new technologies. Senior citizens of all skill levels have embraced Skype, Zoom, Facetime, and other apps and platforms that let them see and talk to family. In some cases, it’s brought far-flung family members together more often than was possible when everyone’s schedules were so full with conflicting commitments.

Due to increased screen time and Internet shopping, make sure your senior has all the latest security protections against malware and viruses. Encourage them to be cautious with any communication or offers coming from unfamiliar sources, and vigilant about sharing personal information.

Increased reliance on Internet shopping has led many people to expand their web presence. Be sure your senior uses strong passwords when setting up new accounts for online deliveries.

Staying on top of managed care
Families with loved ones in assisted care facilities may have been refused visits in the past few months. Tablets, smart phones, and laptops have become lifelines of connection and a good way to lay eyes on the elder person to gauge their health and well-being. Health care staff have ramped up these alternative methods of communications, often providing a device to residents for these virtual visits.

In some areas, outdoor, socially-distanced visits are now possible. Facilities that make these visits available typically require face masks and a distance of six feet maintained between people.

Medications, doctors’ visits, and therapies can be monitored from the outside via phone calls and emails between the family and staff. You might also tap into the routine professional meetings that may now take place remotely between care team members. Regularly calling in or participating on Zoom can keep the family up to date with changes in health and to help plan for future needs.

Planning for what’s next
Though things are opening up in many places, older people will likely be the last group to experience a return to pre-pandemic freedoms. While restrictions are still in place, it is a good time to ensure that things are in order. If estate planning is non-existent or documents outdated, now is a good time to address that. Discuss with your loved one what their wishes are for the next stages of care, and beyond.

No one knows how long it may take for our elderly population to be medically safe from viruses like COVID-19. But family members can be creative, flexible, and persistent in making sure elders are cared for and connected to those who love them.

Written by Ellen Harris, GMS, Product Manager, Content Group