Your elderly loved ones are at higher risk of developing illness from COVID-19, but with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seniors can protect themselves from the virus.
Continue to follow the recommended guidelines provided by the CDC to further prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the senior community. #UnlimitedCareCottages Click To TweetThe CDC recommends a care plan be in place for seniors to protect themselves and others during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can take the following precautions to protect those who are high risk and your senior family members from coronavirus:
Staying Home and Social Distancing
Older adults with health conditions such as lung disease or heart disease are at an increased risk. It’s important that seniors practice social isolation first and foremost by staying home. Those in nursing homes, memory care, and long term care facilities should be kept 6 feet away from others at all times and treated by caregivers with proper protective equipment.
Limit Going Out and Wear a Mask
According to the Mayo Clinic, countries that required face masks, testing, isolation, and social distancing early in the pandemic have successfully slowed the spread of the virus. If your family member does insist on going out to run essential errands, make sure they have either a cloth mask, N95, or a surgical mask to wear while in public. Crowded stores during busy hours should be avoided, instead, seniors can go to the store early in the morning.
Pro Tip: Make sure your loved one is up-to-date on all of their vaccines to avoid other illnesses during this uncertain time.
Wash Your Hands and Disinfect Surfaces
Heavily touched surfaces need to be disinfected often to further prevent the spread of coronavirus. Your senior loved ones need to understand the importance of washing their hands thoroughly with soap and water, and doing so often. It’s also best to have access to hand sanitizer when going out.
Protecting Seniors from COVID-19
You can do your part to protect your senior family members from COVID-19 by following the recommended steps from health officials. If you have an older loved one in assisted living where visiting is on hold, there are a number of ways to connect with them without being face to face.
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