COVID-19 and Seniors

If you’ve picked up a newspaper or tuned into the news recently, then you are well aware that our nation is facing an outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The media has certainly covered every angle of this outbreak, from cruise line passengers being quarantined for weeks to preventative measures we all can take to stop the spread of the disease. All of this information can be extremely overwhelming and worrisome, especially for seniors who have a higher risk of getting very sick from the virus. On top of this, now scammers are beginning to enter the picture. Some claim their product prevents the onset of the virus, if only you pay them a certain amount of money.

We, at Visiting Angels Punta Gorda, are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in light of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic. We want to put our clients, their families, and our caregivers at ease as we navigate the next few weeks. In order to do that, we have taken measures to reeducate all of our caregivers about our company policies.

Any caregiver who has flu symptoms is required to get tested by their physician. They must provide our office with a diagnosis of what type of flu they were diagnosed with. They cannot return to work until they have had a follow up with their doctor in order to provide a release. We do not want to risk exposure to our clients and will make necessary arrangements for a substitute caregiver, should your regular caregiver become ill.

All Visiting Angels caregivers have been informed about universal precaution techniques, including proper hand washing. We will continue to provide gloves for our caregivers so that they can provide safe, proper care to their clients.

We also want to ensure the safety and well-being of our caregivers. We ask that clients who have family visiting due to spring breaks or in general ensure that their family members practice proper hand washing techniques. The CDC recommends washing your hands often with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds. It is a good idea to get in the habit of washing your hands immediately after returning home and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Our caregivers are not always present when clients’ friends or families come to visit, so we ask that our clients help us take care of our caregivers.

The CDC has emphasized that seniors and people with chronic diseases are highly susceptible to the coronavirus. Symptoms can occur 2-14 days after exposure. We cannot emphasize enough that seniors need to take extra precautions. Here are a few actions that seniors should take, if you haven’t already, in order to be prepared.

Take Stock

The CDC is recommending that seniors especially stock up on prescription medications in case an outbreak occurs in their community and they cannot leave home. Call your doctor and ask for refills or extra necessary medications you will likely need. Use the pharmacy drive-thru to avoid potentially catching the virus from another individual in the store. You can also ask a family member to pick it up for you. Some pharmacies are even offering home delivery to their elderly clients as they recognize their susceptibility to the coronavirus. As you’re taking stock of medications, be sure you have enough groceries and other essential items should you need to stay home for a time.

Stay Put

The best preventative measure right now is to stay away from large crowds of people, especially if the virus is spreading in your community. Take advantage of online services instead. Have your groceries delivered to you or stock up on essentials via Amazon or Walmart.com. Visit your local library website for entertainment, such as eBooks or digital videos you can stream on your computer. Stay home from church, neighborhood clubs, senior center events, and other public places. Ask family to “visit” virtually through video calls or phone calls. If you do need to get out, keep your trip brief, use hand sanitizer often, and keep your distance from other people.

Make A Plan

Finally, have a tentative plan in place should you, or someone in your household, become ill with the coronavirus. Set aside one room and one bathroom for the ill person to use in order to help prevent other household members from catching the virus. Disinfect all household surfaces often, including light switches, doorknobs, cell phones, tablets, keyboards, sinks, remote controls, and other frequently touched surfaces. If you live alone, be sure you have someone who is responsible for checking in with you daily. It might seem too frequent, but the virus can cause confusion, shortness of breath, chest pain, or the inability to arouse.

If you experience any symptoms of the coronavirus as outlined by the CDC, please contact your physician and seek treatment immediately. If you have any further concerns or questions about how Visiting Angels Punta Gorda is responding to the coronavirus pandemic, please reach out to us. We are here to support seniors as our world faces this pandemic. Contact us today by calling 941-347-8288 Punta Gorda or 239-226-1620 Cape Coral to learn more about our senior home care services.