Coronavirus and the Elderly: Protecting Your Senior Loved Ones During the COVID-19 Outbreak
If you’re concerned about the spread of COVID-19 — short for coronavirus disease — you’re not alone. The recent news has been alarming, especially since older adults are particularly vulnerable to this disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus is currently spreading in multiple regions throughout the world, including the United States.
With so much misinformation circulating, it can be challenging to know what to do to protect yourself and your senior loved ones. But don’t panic: you and your loved ones can take action to reduce the risk of becoming ill from COVID-19.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the official name for the upper respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus that emerged in Wuhan, China, late last year. A coronavirus is a type of virus recognized by its spiky, crown-like surface. Although most coronaviruses just cause common cold symptoms, this new coronavirus can be more dangerous.
In fact, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a global pandemic as the coronavirus spread across the world. The symptoms of COVID-19 can take between 2 and 14 days to show after someone becomes infected. According to WHO, symptoms of COVID-19 typically include:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Tiredness
Some people may also develop nasal congestion, body aches, a runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea.
In most healthy people, symptoms are mild and appear gradually. In such cases, medical attention is not always needed. However, in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and people with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease, symptoms can become severe and may include:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Persistent chest pain or pressure
- New confusion or difficulty waking
- Blue coloration of the lips or face
If you or your elderly loved ones are experiencing these more severe symptoms, the CDC recommends you seek medical attention immediately.
How Does COVID-19 Spread?
Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread the disease, even if they haven’t yet developed symptoms or have only very mild ones. COVID-19 can be spread in several ways, including:
- Close contact (within six feet) with an infected individual.
- Contact with respiratory droplets from an infected individual. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, expelled respiratory droplets can carry the virus and can be inhaled by or land in the nose or mouth of someone nearby.
- Contact with infected surfaces, followed by touching your nose, mouth, or eyes, may also spread COVID-19. Although this is not thought to be the primary way the virus spreads, similar coronaviruses are known to persist for hours or days on surfaces.
How Can You Protect Your Elderly Loved Ones from the Coronavirus?
The best way to protect yourself and senior your loved ones from COVID-19 is to reduce your risk for catching the virus.
The CDC recommends the following practices to reduce your risk:
- Avoid being in close contact with people who are sick
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Cover your sneeze or cough with a disposable tissue, and then throw the tissue out
- Stay home as much as possible, especially if you are sick
- Frequently clean and disinfect objects you touch
- Follow the CDC’s travel advisories
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you cannot use soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content. Always wash your hands after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Stock up on supplies before you need them. Consider switching to mail-order prescriptions or ask your medical provider for extra medical supplies and medications if your community experiences an outbreak of COVID-19. Make sure to have enough groceries to stay home for some time and a sufficient stockpile of over-the-counter medicines and supplies like cough drops, pain relievers, and tissues to treat a mild case of COVID-19.
- Use a facemask if you or someone you are in close contact with has COVID-19. Many people are also using facemasks when out in public. However, the CDC recommends that facemasks mainly be used by health workers or people caring for others in close settings. The CDC also recommends that people who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 use facemasks to help them prevent spreading the disease. The CDC does not recommend that people who are well use a facemask.
Home Caregivers Can Take Steps to Protect the Elderly
In a letter submitted to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on March 11, 2020, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) urged regulators to make several sweeping changes that would free up home health providers in their fight against COVID-19.
“It is increasingly apparent that care in the home is the most prudent approach. Whether for purposes of isolating potentially infected individuals, providing direct virus-related care, or addressing the risks of infection caused by avoidable exposure to other individuals,” the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group’s letter stated. “As you well know, the elderly and those with fragile health conditions are considered the highest risk members of our society.”
Although home care providers usually help seniors with daily living tasks, they can also help seniors follow the CDC’s recommendations to reduce the risk of catching the virus. While following these practices can help reduce the risk of catching COVID-19, remember to keep an eye on your elderly loved ones, and watch for symptoms of COVID-19.
A qualified in-home caregiver, who is HHA or CNA-certified, can also monitor your elderly loved one for symptoms and alert family caregivers if symptoms develop.
If acute symptoms develop, have your loved ones seek medical treatment immediately. Always be sure to listen to your local public health officials and follow their advice.
For more information and the latest updates, check out the CDC and WHO pages on COVID-19.
About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton:
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to the elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our home Alzheimer's care, dementia care, companion care, senior care, respite support, transitional aid, and home care services in Westwood, Norwood, Brookline, Watertown, Needham, Dedham, Canton, Stoughton, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Chestnut Hill, Roslindale, and nearby towns. While essential personal in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a significant impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation!
We are staying Diligent
As the confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in our area, we are monitoring the situation and the advice from public health authorities. Visiting Angels remain committed to our responsibility as your home care provider during this time. We recognize that our Visiting Angels caregivers allow seniors to age safely and comfortably in their own homes, wherever that may be, and that some of our clients cannot get through the day or night without a home care aide. We want to assure you that we are communicating to our caregivers to follow best practices, including hand-washing, and staying home if they are feeling ill or have traveled to Level 3 CDC countries.