Senior and COVID-19 (Coronavirus): Protecting Your Loved Ones
Global COVID-19 reports suggest older people may be at higher risk of severe illness from it. [1] The potential danger of coronavirus spread has left many seniors and families in search of answers. Be safe. Be Healthy. Be Happy.
Senior and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Let’s find answers to the most common and important questions related to seniors’ safety.
Q: How do I keep my family and my senior loved one safe?
A: In response to a COVID-19 outbreak, families are playing the role of caregivers and to ensure safety of older adults. Being a caregiver, there are many things you can do to protect your senior loved ones and also other family members.
- Follow all guidelines on sanitizing, avoiding crowds and practicing social distancing.
- Disallow visits from friends and family members from outside.
- Have a backup care plan if anyone in the family exhibits COVID-19 symptoms.
- Have enough food and medication supplies
Also, stay ahead of the essential, up-to-date information. The circumstances with coronavirus are changing rapidly. So you should find and regularly check a credible information source, such as the WHO’s dedicated website. AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) works with public health authorities to identify specific coronavirus-related issues relevant to the more than 50s. [2]
Q: What if my loved one is in a nursing home?
A: If your elder is in a hospital or a nursing home, you can consider moving him or her to a senior living community. These communities are working hard to combat the spread of COVID-19 among seniors.
They offer different levels of acuity support for medically complex needs. They offer medical resources to prevent return trips to hospital. These facilities are accepting new residents immediately.
Q: How are senior living communities responding to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
A: The senior living industry is playing an important role in the battle against the COVID-19 virus. Every day, staff members are preparing nutrition-rich food, disinfecting all areas, and keeping residents engaged with activities.
Although the daily routine in the communities has changed a little due to the virus, residents receive all necessary services and full support from the staff.
Virtual Visits with Family and Friends
Since visitors are not allowed in most communities, residents can catch up with family and friends via free communication tools like SkyPe and Facetime. The staff has set up computer stations so residents can video chat with their loved ones.
For social distancing, activities are now organized in smaller groups than the usual size. Seniors can play a lot of online card and board games with others.
Raising Prevention Standards
Senior living facilities are putting even greater emphasis on the well-being of their residents during the coronavirus outbreak. Some new protocols for the elderly are:
- Extensive visitor screenings
- Regular temperature monitoring
- Paying more attention to anyone with known symptoms
- Patient quarantines as required
Consulting the COVID-19 Experts
Senior living communities are reinforcing all policies and procedures to avoid coronavirus spread.
They are implementing specific protocols provided by CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ), Government of Canada, USA Gov and other top authorities to improve sanitization and cleaning guidelines. The CDC recommends long-term-care to have facilities and staff dedicated to caring for covid-19-positive patients. [3]
Q: Is it true that older adults are at an elevated risk from the virus?
A: Older adults 65+, especially with an underlying medical condition, are about twice as likely to get COVID-19 infected versus otherwise the younger, healthier population. [4] It’s because elderly experience gradual deterioration of their immune system, making it difficult for their body to fight off the virus. It can hinder the body’s ability to recover from the illness.
That’s why people with a heart disease, lung disease and diabetes should especially avoid exposure to COVID-19.
Q: Should I move my senior loved one to a senior care facility?
A: If your senior loved one is not able to stay in hospitals for a prolonged duration, you can consider a move to a senior living facility.
The senior living industry is a strong extension of the national healthcare network. These communities are working hard to protect elderly patients during this time. They offer different levels of care and support based on the medically complex needs of individuals.
Q: I am worried about the mental health of a quarantined senior loved one. What should I do?
A: Well, isolation is not about idleness. There are many things seniors can do to stay engaged and mental and physically active.
Older adults always need a healthy social connection. You can reach out to them via a video or audio call. Facilitate TV, books, music instruments or anything they prefer for their enjoyment. But don’t forget to sanitize these items once the isolation phase is over.
If interested, older adults can indulge in genealogy research and trace their origin. Be polite and show more affection than ever so that they can easily navigate through social isolation.
Q: What to do When a case has been confirmed in the retirement facility?
When a senior living resident is diagnosed with COVID-19, CDC recommends the following additional measures for owners, administrators and operators to prevent the spread of coronavirus:
- Coordinate with local health officials. Isolate the person and contact local health officials.
- Communicate the possible COVID-19 exposure with workers, visitors, residents, andHow are senior living communities responding to coronavirus? volunteers. Place a signage in entrances/exits and common areas. Inform recent visitors of potential exposure.
- Maintain confidentiality of the patient suffering from COVID-19 as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to avoid potential discrimination.
- Ask residents to self-monitor and take action, if required. Sick elderly should limit contact with others, report their illness to the administrator and contact their healthcare provider.
- Clean and disinfect the facility and your surroundings thoroughly.
Do you have any other questions in your mind?
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References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2020. Older Adults, cdc.gov
- American Association of Retired Persons, 2020. Health COVID-19, aarp.org
- National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases, April 15, 2020. Preparing for COVID-19: Long-term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes, cdc.gov
- Rachel Nania, March 27, 2020. Coronavirus and Older Adults: Your Questions Answered, aarp.org