Caring for Elderly during COVID Times

Caring for Elderly during COVID Times

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 — even deadly — coronavirus infection than other age groups.

If you are caring for an older loved one, you might be worried. We are sharing important tips about what you need to know to keep elderly people safer, and what to do if they do become infected with COVID-19.

Keep yourself well

First and most important, as a caretaker you should take all the precautions you can to avoid becoming infected yourself. Here are the basics:

• 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.

Practice physical distancing but not social isolation

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. Social isolation may have negative impact on seniors mental health, hence time has come to encourage them to use technology to connect with others beyond borders. Sprituality and faith plays important role in seniors life, therefore caregivers might help their loved one access online services and outreach for spiritual solace and support.”

Technology for Staying Connected

To help older adults feel involved, purposeful and less lonely during the pandemic:

• Show them how to video chat with others using smartphones, laptops or tablets. 
• Help them join community of their interest and make new connections with like minded people.
• Encourage friends and family outside of your household to telephone, write notes or send cards to lift your loved one’s spirits.

Keep elders involved

 We recommend giving homebound older adults a project they can work on like organizing old photos and memorabilia together, enjoying the stories ,preparing lifebook  cooking new receipe, gardening . They can keep themselves engaged on our website with several tools like online games, entertainment and leisure and fun activities.dfd