Had a really helpful chat with a lady at AgeUK yesterday regarding caring for older relatives.
She said (what I have been thinking) that total isolation might mean the vulnerable don't get the virus, but it would also increase deaths from stress and also result in more mental health issues. She advised that visiting such people would be extremely low risk providing:
1) you are both symptom free and maintain a minimum distance of 1 metre at all times
2) you either don't eat/drink anything or if you do, you bring it with you and take it away again after (e.g. bring a flask of tea for you while your 'host' makes their own in the kitchen
3) you put on disposable gloves just before entering the house and remove them as soon as you leave. Also, avoid using the loo if possible - just go in, sit in a chair, don't touch anything.
4) the vulnerable person, as far as possible, only has one visitor instead of different people each day. So if you are a family, designate one person to visit mum each week, one person to visit auntie etc.
Obviously, in good weather, it is much better if you can sit out in the garden or meet in a park.
She also told me about the Silver Line charity, which provides a free, confidential support line which is manned 24 hours a day. Any elderly person can ring at any time, whether they have a worry or just want a friendly voice to chat to. The website is thesilverline.org.uk and the number is 0800 4708090.
Hope this is helpful for some of you either isolating yourselves or seeking to care for those who are.
