COVID-19 Outbreak: Need of Special Care-giving For the Elderly
When it comes to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, older people are especially vulnerable to severe illness. Research is showing that adults 60 and older, especially those with preexisting medical conditions, especially heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or cancer are more likely to have severe, deadly — coronavirus infection than other age groups. If you’re caring for an older loved one, you might be worried. Older adults are at a higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises older adults to stay home and avoid being around others. It’s important for all of us to check in on the older adults in our lives during this difficult time. What you need to know to keep elderly people safer? What to do if they do become infected with COVID-19?
As a care-giver one should take all the precautions you can, this will avoid yourself from getting infected. Here are some important points to know of:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after providing care, preparing food, using the bathroom, or touching surfaces in public places.
- Avoid crowds, and if you cough or sneeze, do so into the bend of your elbow or into a disposable tissue.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces in your home often, including mobility and medical equipment used by your loved one, such as walkers, canes and handrails.
Physical distancing
One important way to lower the risk of your older family members catching COVID-19 is to limit in-person visits. But this may be tough for older adults who cherish time spent with friends and family members. Physical distancing doesn’t have to mean isolation or loneliness. We need to keep older adults safe, but also keep in mind that social isolation can have a negative impact on older people’s immunity and mental health.
Use of Technology for Elders
To help older adults feel involved, purposeful and less lonely during the pandemic:
- Show them how to video chat with others using smart phones, laptops or tablets.
- Use apps on these devices to provide captions for adults with hearing challenges.
- Encourage friends and family outside of your household to telephone, write notes or send cards to lift your loved one’s spirits.
Elderly Patients of Dementia
For dementia older patients, this does not increase risk for COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel Coronavirus (nCoV), same like dementia does not increase risk for flu. However, dementia-related behaviors, increased age and common health conditions that often accompany dementia may increase risk. For example, people with Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementia may forget to wash their hands or take other recommended precautions to prevent illness. In addition, diseases like COVID-19 and the flu may worsen cognitive impairment due to dementia. Care-givers begin reopening, it is important for caregivers to consider the risks and take additional safety precautions for people living with dementia.