Caring for the elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As per WHO guidelines, when it comes to Covid-19 spread by the novel Coronavirus, older people or senior citizens are most vulnerable to severe illness. Various research and recent cases have shown that adults who are more than 60 years of age and have pre-existing medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or cancer are diagnosed with severe even deadly coronavirus infection compared to other age groups. Caregivers During CoronavirusSo, taking proper care of elders has become even more crucial. In case you are caring for an older loved one or are among the coronavirus caregivers, there are few things you must keep in mind. Also, home care during the pandemic is essential. Let us know how to keep older people safer and what should be done in case they become infected with Covid-19.

Keep yourself safe

Caregivers during coronavirus should take all the necessary precautions to avoid becoming infected themselves. The basics are:

Wash frequently hands with any soap and water or sanitizer for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing food, using the bathroom, providing care, or touching any surface in public places.
Avoid crowded places, while you cough or sneeze, you must bend your elbow to cover or use a disposable tissue.
Keep your hands off your face.
Clean frequently touched surfaces in the home, like doorknobs, bathroom switches, mobility, and medical equipment used by elders, basically walkers, handrails, and canes.
Maintain social distancing but do not practice social isolation.

One of the critical measures you need to follow to lower the risk of senior members or the elderly from catching Covid-19 is to limit in-person visits. But it seems these tasks will be pretty tough for the elders who love to spend time with friends and family members.

But physical distancing doesn’t mean you have to keep your elders in isolation or loneliness. Although, as a caregiver, the main task is to keep the elderly safe, you also need to keep in mind that social isolation can negatively impact the elder’s mental health and immunity.

As a replacement for social contacts, seniors can be encouraged to build connections beyond their usual circle of friends and family. For instance, saying hello to the grocery delivery guy or merely waving at the neighbours nearby can add a sense of connectedness in their routine life.

With places of worship like temples and churches closing their doors until there is an ease in the pandemic, elders may feel cut off because these communities are often considered a more significant part of their social lives. As a caregiver, you can connect them with these services online, like an online spiritual and support system.

Make use of technology for staying connected

Engaging elders and making them involved will make them feel purposeful and less lonely during the pandemic. Things you can do are:

Make them learn how to have a video chat using smartphones, laptops, or tablets.
Encourage their family members and friends to write notes or send personalized cards to lift their spirits.
Keep them involved in various activities.

Elders who are homebound with restricted mobility, require extensive care during this pandemic. In case you are away from your loved seniors, you can always take the help of the senior care centers like Anvayaa.