When it comes to tackling the current COVID-19 outbreak that has turned our world upside down, the World Health Organization stated that adults above 60 years old are most vulnerable, resulting in 95% of coronavirus-related deaths. Approximately nine out of ten fatalities occurred among individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, such as lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. Therefore, senior placement agencies are actively engaging in advanced senior care options to improve best practices for safeguarding the most vulnerable members of our society. For a healthy lifestyle and peace of mind, elderly residents need to keep up with their active routine, nutritious meals, and daily exercises, if this can be done safely with all the right precautionary measures during these unprecedented times.
Senior Living Facilities can ensure that all caretakers avoid becoming infected themselves to protect the vulnerable members of the community. They are required to wash hands frequently, avoid crowds, and limit touching any surfaces even if they have been wiped clean several times a day. All mobility equipment, such as canes, handrails, and walkers, are thoroughly disinfected around the clock, and every individual is advised against touching their face to curb the spread of this aggressively infectious disease.
Physical distancing has replaced social isolation because elderly members of our society deserve better than being locked away indefinitely while other age groups are free to move about. This allows limited in-person visits by family members to cherish valuable time spent with friends and family to prevent loneliness. Elderly members are asked to think beyond their usual relationship circles and briefly engage with neighbors and staff members to stay socially active while adding a sense of connectedness during this lockdown period. Since faith is a big part of older people’s lives, senior care options also include providing access to online services and outreach programs for spiritual support and solace.
To help the elderly feel purposeful and involved during this pandemic, they are taught how to video chat with loved ones through laptops, tablets, and smartphones. If any members have hearing challenges, there are apps on these devices with captions to help communicate effectively. Outside friends and families are encouraged to mail cards and letters to lift their loved ones’ spirits. Senior care options can include telemedicine services that help citizens with chronic illnesses stay close to their doctors since non-essential visits and annual check-ups have been reduced for the time being. Through this service, doctors can communicate with their patients using live video chats rather than meeting face-to-face unless it is an absolute emergency. Many in-person visits may be limited to only adults. According to the Journal of Pediatrics, 13% of children tested positive for COVID-19 despite showing zero symptoms. Virtual family visits can be conducted via programs, such as Zoom, to catch up with loved ones safely. Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said, “If keeping your grandparents’ safe means that you can’t visit them in person, talk to them every day so that they do not feel alone. Physical distancing is not social isolation.”
Older people are dependent on their communities for support and should always be provided the right information regarding what to do if they suddenly feel unwell. Socially connecting with doctors and loved ones is a necessary undertaking by care home placement agencies so that all staff and residents can cohesively work together to prevent further spread of this dreadful virus. Although these harsh measures may appear draconian at first, senior care options have an exceptionally high standard to ensure everybody’s health, safety, and well-being until we can all emerge stronger on the other side.
If you have any other questions on how to take care of elderly during Covid-19 or how to find the right senior care facility for your loved one, reach out to our Senior Living Advisors. The elder care concierge services that our senior living advisor offers are completely FREE. All you have to do is call 425-324-5592 to connect with one. For additional information about Senior Living Advisors, visit www.A1SeniorCareAdvisors.com. A1 Senior Care Advisors has a 5 STARS rating on Google. LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/a1seniorcareadvisors.
