Coronavirus, also called COVID-19, is a type of infectious respiratory illness that’s currently sweeping the globe. With more than one in ten infected seniors dying from the virus, it’s important to take this disease very seriously. Though it’s spreading rapidly, seniors shouldn’t just give up and assume they’re going to get ill. It’s still possible to protect yourself and your aging loved one by making a few basic changes.
How to Reduce Chances of Exposure to the Coronavirus
According to the CDC, the most effective thing people can do to lower their risk is to simply avoid contact with others, so seniors should try to stay home whenever possible. If they do need to go out, they should remain at least six feet away from others. This can be difficult for seniors with serious care needs, so it may be wise to consider hiring in-home caregivers to help seniors stay out of highly populated assisted living facilities.
To keep your loved one from having to go out, a home caregiver can run errands for him or her, including shopping for groceries and picking up prescriptions. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Embrace In-Home Care, a leading provider of home care. Embrace In-Home Care provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.
Methods for Killing Coronavirus Particles
The virus can be removed from surfaces by washing them with antibacterial cleaning products, or disinfectants can be used to kill the virus. Some important areas to clean regularly include doorknobs, light switches, tables, phones, and faucets. Since many people get sick by touching their faces after the virus gets on their hands, regular handwashing is also imperative. Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Seniors should do this regularly and make a point of washing their hands before eating or touching their faces.
Ways to Strengthen the Immune System
Boosting the immune system helps the bodies fight off illnesses. Aging adults should make sure they’re eating healthy, consuming enough vitamins and essential nutrients, getting some sunlight each day, and partaking in regular physical activity. Lowering stress and cutting back on alcohol consumption can also help the immune system function better.
If your loved one needs help following healthy habits that can boost his or her immune system, a home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of at-home care. Green Valley families can rely on Embrace In-Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
How to Reduce the Risk of Severe Symptoms
There are also a few things seniors can do to reduce the severity of symptoms if they do get sick. Seniors who smoke should work to quit using tobacco products so they can strengthen their lungs. In general, people with preexisting health problems who contract coronavirus have a more difficult time recovering, so they need to follow their doctors’ advice and take all medications prescribed. Be on the lookout for headaches, fatigue, body aches, fever, difficulty breathing, coughing, and other potential coronavirus symptoms. If you notice these in your loved one, seek medical attention immediately.
Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Green Valley, AZ, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Embrace In-Home Care. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. If you need professional home care for your loved one, our Care Managers are just a phone call away. Reach out to Embrace In-Home Care today at (520) 625-2050.
With information surrounding coronavirus/COVID-19 changing by the hour, it’s challenging to stay updated on the most recent best practices for keeping seniors safe at home. At Embrace In-Home Care, we understand how critical it is for seniors and their caregivers to protect against coronavirus as much as possible. All our team members have received detailed communication on infection control protocols, including effective cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and hands. Our caregivers can pick up medications, groceries, and anything else a senior needs, minimizing their interaction with large groups of people. For more information on how Embrace In-Home Care helps protect clients, click here: https://embraceinhomecare.com/covid-19-home-care/.