Author: Crystal Jo
What can you do when you or your loved one are stuck at home during an outbreak?
How will you manage personal care or picking up groceries? How will you manage the feelings of isolation and anxiety?
Many of us feel anxious and fearful about COVID-19. If you have an elderly or at-risk loved one, we can help inform you about how professional caregivers support elders, and what YOU can do to slow the spread of infection.
3 Ways Caregivers Keep Elders Safe and Comforted at Home
One of the recommendations to limit the spread of COVID-19 is physical distancing. Practice physical distancing by avoiding public places and traveling. Stay at home except when absolutely necessary to access essential goods and services, such as food, gas, and medications.
We know for a fact that staying at home reduces your chance of catching or spreading coronavirus. Your loved ones may find physical distancing especially difficult and isolating. That’s why having a professional caregiver helps achieve these 3 vital goals:
1. Make it Easier to Stay at Home
The safest place for even relatively healthy elders is often in their own homes. In-home caregivers help to make sure their clients’ needs are met.
For example, a home caregiver will help clients stock up on supplies. A home caregiver can assist with a shopping trip. Caregivers can make sure the house is stocked with necessary over-the-counter medicines and supplies to treat fever and other virus or cold symptoms. Home caregivers also can prepare healthy meals.
2. Provide Company
Elders who live alone already are at risk for isolation and loneliness. Your loved one may feel anxious and disconnected from others during this uncertain time. If you can’t visit, a home caregiver can help your loved one get in touch -- and stay in touch -- with family and friends.
A caregiver can assist with a hobby, help with at-home exercises or set up ways to communicate with loved ones such as writing letters, phoning, or using video calls.
3. Protect and Reassure Your Loved One
Home Care Assistance caregivers are trained in recognizing the warning signs of illness. They are also taught how to prevent the spread of illness.
A caregiver can assist your loved one with:
Identifying and reporting symptoms
Remembering to regularly wash hands
Reminding clients to cover a cough or sneeze
Effectively cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
Monitoring medications
Being alone during a time of uncertainty can lead to fear and anxiety. Your loved one needs to know that support is available. As a family caregiver, you are doing your best to meet the needs of those who depend on you while following safety recommendations.
Consider home care as a good fit for keeping your elderly loved one safe while they stay at home.
What is COVID-19 and What are the Symptoms?
COVID-19 is an illness caused by an unusual type of coronavirus germ, first identified in December 2019, in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
If you or a loved one is infected with the coronavirus, you might notice symptoms such as:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
The people most likely to develop serious symptoms are older adults (whose immune systems are not as robust as younger peoples) and people with compromised immune systems or respiratory systems.
How Does COVID-19 Spread?
COVID-19 spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets can travel about 6 feet through the air, and are spread through:
Coughing
Sneezing
Loud talking
Blowing your nose
Touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after touching a contaminated surface
How to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
The most reliable way to prevent getting sick is to not be exposed to the virus.
You CAN reduce your risk of exposure or spreading the virus: reduce your contact with other people.
Here’s how:
Remain at home and avoid contact with other people
Avoid gatherings of more than 10 people
Avoid traveling, shopping and social visits if possible
Use a drive-thru, takeout or delivery instead of eating at restaurants
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that people touch or use often
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Maintain extra physical space (at least 6 feet) between yourself and other people if you must go out
If you feel ill:
Stay at home
Call your medical provider
Postpone visits to residents of nursing facilities, retirement communities, and assisted-living buildings
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and immediately throw out the tissue
Wear a face mask when around other people
Author: Crystal Jo
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