With the outbreak of the new strain of SARS COV2 in 2021, the second wave of this deadly virus is hitting us again across the world. Senior people are more likely to get infected with this virus due to the existing ailments and the decreasing power of their immune system. According to the doctors’ opinion of various health organizations, 60 years of age people with prevalent diseases like heart problems, diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and many others are more vulnerable to get COVID-19. Thus we have to be more careful while taking care of the elderly and keep them away from the virus. In this article, we will be sharing all the information related to how you can keep your grandmother and grandfather safe from this pandemic.
Take All the Protection for Yourself
The most significant way to keep the elderly of your home Covid negative is to take all the necessary precautions to stop yourself from getting infected. You need to:
- Ignore the gatherings or the crowd
- If you sneeze or cough, do so while using your elbow or into a disposable tissue.
- Use a mask whenever you go out of your home.
- Frequently wash both hands up to the elbow with hand wash or soap for 20 seconds. Wash it away with the water. Remember you should practice this habit while cooking food for the older people, after using the bathroom, or coming in contact with any public surface.
- Do not touch your face or nose repeatedly with your hands
- Clean all their medical and mobility equipment frequently like handrails, canes, or walkers
Maintain Physical Distance
One significant way of lowering the threat of the elderly catching this dangerous virus is to maintain social distance with them and restricting personal visits. But remember physical distance does not mean complete isolation. Isolation will create a negative effect on the mental health and immunity of older people. Assists them in connecting to their near ones through online video calling as they are not so tech-savvy.
Ways to Tackle Sudden Emergencies
If there are any older people in your abode, you remain prepared to handle any emergencies. Always keep all the necessary medicines in stock, especially if they have a heart or diabetic problem. We will also recommend keeping blood pressure, oxygen, and blood sugar monitoring devices always ready at home for them. Maintain a list of the emergency phone numbers of ambulances and doctors, and hang where it is easier to access. You can also dial the authorities’ helpline numbers if there is any symptom of Coronavirus in any of the elder members of your family.
Execute Regular errands for them.
Never allow the elderly to go out of their homes. You can buy the everyday essentials like eggs, vegetables, fruits, bread, milk, medicines and more. There might be many older people living alone in this pandemic. Check on them regularly and see if they need anything. Also, set up a reminder in their clock or mobile phone to take the medicines on time.
Boosts up their mental Health
If you are staying far away from your aged parents or grandparents, call them every day to check how they are doing and if they need anything. Send them a small good morning or good night message, which will light up their day. If you have someone elderly in your neighborhood, who has no one, you can leave a cheerful note in their mailbox or near the front door. It will make them cheerful as someone in this pandemic is thinking about their well-being. You can also cook a homemade meal for them and leave it outside their home. Encourage the elderly near your vicinity to call their friends and talk with them. These steps will surely boost their mental health and allow them to have positive thoughts in this disastrous period.
Cancel all the medical visits
Now it is the best idea to cancel all the unnecessary regular medical visits of the elderly to their doctors. Some doctors are offering telephone consultations to their patients. Check if this facility is available with the concerned physician. You can also contact them through video calls or emails.
Other Precautionary Measures
Stop listening to the pandemic news on TV every time as this might upset the older people of your home mentally. Do some happy activities and spend some quality time with the older people to keep them occupied. You also have to ensure that they are eating well-balanced and healthy foods full of vitamin C. This diet will assist in improving their immune system better. Ensure the elderly in your home are taking enough liquid to keep them hydrated. You can also do some exercises or yoga with them in the morning or evening. It will keep them lively and healthy simultaneously.
Conclusion
With the high death rates, unemployment, and home isolation across the globe, the elderly are getting agitated, which is affecting their health further. Thus follow the above steps to ensure they remain healthy and stay away from the covid pandemic.
