Coronavirus: Keeping Your Senior Community Safe
With the recent coronavirus pandemic on the rise, many are wondering how to keep their communities and loved ones safe. Since the elderly are among the most vulnerable to the virus, it is vital that much care is taken to protect the elderly communities. Whether you or a loved one are living in a senior community, there are some precautionary measures that can be taken to prevent the virus from spreading to the most vulnerable.
Prevention is key. Since COVID-19 has no current cure or treatment, here are some of the best ways that you can be prepared and prevent the spreading of the virus:
Prepare to be at home
Since the spreading of any virus requires human contact, the best way to avoid it is to minimize human contact. It is a good idea to make sure that you have enough food and essentials to stay home for at least a week or two. You should also consider the needs of others. Please make sure not to overbuy so that others have a chance to prepare as well.
Keep a distance
If you must go out, avoid large crowds and keep a safe distance from others. This is about six to eight feet.
Stay clean
Wash your hands and sanitize often. Be careful not to cough, breathe, or sneeze near others. It is especially important to consider the proximity of the elderly and those who have a compromised immune system.
Avoid non-essential contact and travel
Any activities and interactions that are not essential to you and your family should be avoided.
Special Considerations for the Senior Community
Not only are the elderly at higher risk for contracting coronavirus, but the virus can also be more detrimental to their health than others. Senior care can also entail more thought and effort than the care of healthy individuals. It is important to consider the medications, supplies, and other necessary accommodations that you or your elder loved one might need.
If medications are vital for everyday living, make sure that you have extra on hand so that contact with the public can be minimized. The same considerations should be taken for food and dietary restrictions as well as medical supplies. Again, it is best if you minimize contact with the outside world. The more trips into town for supplies that you can avoid, the better. If you have a loved one in a care facility, it can be very helpful to aid in sanitation and cleanliness. Also, be sure to be aware of any protocol that the facility might have in place for an outbreak such as the coronavirus.
Stay Calm and Vigilant
People, unfortunately, are capitalizing on the fear of others. This is apparent in the number of scams regarding fake cures and preventative measures being sold. You should be on the lookout for fake emails claiming to be from the CDC and other scams. Remember that there are no current cures, vaccines, or treatments for COVID-19. This means that any such claims are not real. Help to keep your loved ones safe by staying informed of the current status of the outbreak and potential scams involved.
If you or a loved one happen to be in a senior community, please encourage others there to maintain sanitary practices and to avoid socializing in groups. You should also limit visitation to only necessary visits. You can help to do this by communicating via telephone or email. Consider those who are at greater risk and be sure to think through your situation thoroughly. For more information on healthy and safe senior care, feel free to visit our website.
