COVID-19 Tips for Older People with Chronic Health Issues
The SARS-CoV-2 is the new coronavirus that does not discriminate. Mild to fatal respiratory infections are caused to everyone exposed to this virus. However, it is studied that older adults are infected severely and have difficulty in recovering from COVID-19 infection. Therefore, older people with compromised immune systems need to be vigilant and stay home, during this pandemic outbreak.
Preventive measure
There is no foolproof COVID-19 prevention strategy, but there are some that can help old people avoid exposure.
Stay home
The best preventive strategy is to stay in the safety of your home. Never get tempted to go out. It is better to come into contact with fewer people. The social distancing concept is clear. It means less public interaction, the less possibility of getting exposed to novel coronavirus. Many people who are exposed can be asymptomatic. It means you cannot tell if they are infected or not, so staying at home is the best way to avoid virus complications.
If there is a need to go out in public wear protective face masks. You can buy respiratory masks that can help to keep away bacteria, allergens, and viruses away. Consolidate your trip to the pharmacy and grocery store as few as possible. Make sure to maintain 2 meters distance from other people. It is sensible to have household supplies and grocery home delivered.
Wash your hands
The first prevention strategy, CDC recommends is frequent and proper hand wash. Wash every inch of your hand surface with soap for 20 seconds. If there is no access to water and soap, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer and rub your hands to remove potential germs.
Frequent cleaning and disinfecting
It includes high touch surfaces and areas in your home like –
- Countertops
- Refrigerator handles
- Doorknobs
- Remote control
- Light switches
- Faucets
- Toilets
- Computer keyboards
- Landlines
- Mobile phones
Make sure to buy EPA registered home disinfectants or use a diluted bleach solution to clean high touch surfaces.
How to handle social isolation?
Adults start feeling lonely with social isolation and the panic of this new pandemic without any cure possibilities adds up to their emotions. Social isolation becomes hard with anxiety, sadness, and depression. This can worsen their already compromised health issues. It is normal to feel anxious and lonely but there are some ways to stay home safe and deal with it.
- Limit watching the news because consistent streaming frightening and negative news can increase your sadness.
- Create a routine to establish a normalcy feeling. Few scheduled activities can help to ward away a little depression and be comforting.
- Keep in touch with friends and family via chat apps. Modern technology has gifted people with plenty of options to stay connected face-to-face with our loved ones.
- Exercise is not just necessary for your health, but is also a great mood-lifter. You will feel relaxed! Join the walk at home exercises on YouTube or even perform some chair workouts or yoga poses.
- Explore Google and visit some of the destinations you have not seen personally. A virtual tour to those dream destinations is a great way to lift your mood.
- Meditation is also a great way to feel grounded and more centered.
Stay home, stay safe!
