Keeping Your Elderly Loved Ones Safe During This Pandemic
June 01, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has taken us all by surprise. Nobody could have predicted how much all of our lives would be impacted by this contagious virus at the beginning of the year. It has swept across the world much faster than expected and we’ve all had to take action to prevent its spread with little notice. But one of the generations it has impacted the most is the over 70s. The elderly are generally more prone to serious consequences when faced with any health threat and coronavirus is no different. Covid-19 - the disease caused by coronavirus - has a significantly higher death rate within the elderly. This means that many governments have advised that over 70s shelter and do not leave their homes at all, for any reason, until further advice has been given. This can make life pretty difficult. But there are ways you can help. Here are some to try out.
Ensure They Have Access to All Necessary Information
Information on coronavirus changes by the day. Your loved ones might not be able to access their usual sources of news and few are competent with social media, where much information is spread nowadays. Considering 80 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the US have been elderly individuals, now is a pretty scary time for them. So, give them a call and ensure they’re updated on what’s going on in the world. This can help to ease their fears and make them feel more comfortable in knowing what’s happening outside.
Caring for Elderly Loved Ones in Care Homes
If your loved one is in a care home, things can be a little scary. This is an environment where coronavirus tends to be spreading rapidly. The best thing you can do is to keep your physical distance from your loved one right now. This may feel counterintuitive, but you never know if you might be carrying the virus right now and the fewer outsiders going into the care home, the less likely the virus is to make its way in. Make sure to call though. Most can still take phone calls and it’ll be good for them to hear a friendly voice during these hard times.
Caring for Elderly Loved Ones in Their Own Homes
People living alone in old age tend to have a lot of independence still. They’re used to taking care of themselves and going about their day to day life. Isolation and sheltering can be extremely frustrating for them. Do your utmost to help wherever you can. Collect and drop off their food shopping for them (just make sure to place the bags at the door and retreat far away before your loved one opens the door and collects the shopping). Collect and drop off their prescriptions in the same way. Video call them if possible. If they’re not too tech savvy, a phone call will be just as good.
Now is a scary time for everyone. But it’s particularly scary for vulnerable groups. So, if you’re healthy, able and capable, it’s important that you do your most to help those in need in your life!
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