Senior Care Can Help Your Parent “Do the Five”
You’ve likely seen the gif put out by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggesting that people “do the five” to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The steps may not seem terribly difficult, but since older adults are at greater risk from the virus, it’s especially important to ensure they understand and practice the steps. For seniors who have cognitive impairments, following the steps may not be so easy. That’s where senior care can be especially important during these unusual times. Below are the five recommended steps and how senior care can help older adults to follow them.
#1: Stay home as much as you can.
Americans are being asked to stay home unless they absolutely need to go somewhere, such as to the grocery store or a medical appointment. Because older adults have a greater chance of getting especially ill from the COVID-19 virus, it’s very important that they avoid going out. Senior care can assist with this step by allowing older adults to stay home while they pick up pre-ordered groceries or run other errands for them.
#2: Keep a safe distance.
When it is necessary for your older family member to go out, experts recommend that they stay at least 6 feet away from other people to avoid the spread of the virus through breathing in droplets from someone who sneezes or coughs. Senior care providers can remind your older family member to keep their distance from other people, such as delivery people or people in the doctor’s office.
#3: Wash hands often.
Frequent hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills germs that may be on them. This can prevent the virus from travelling from the hands to the nose or mouth, where it can enter the body. If your older family member needs help washing their hands, a senior care provider can help them to do so, ensuring they thoroughly wash them and do it often.
#4: Cover your cough.
Experts recommend using the crook of the elbow to cover a sneeze or cough when a tissue is not available. By coughing into the elbow rather than the hands, the germs aren’t as likely to be spread through touch. A senior care provider can remind your older family member to cover their cough or sneeze.
#5: Sick? Call ahead.
If the older adult is feeling unwell and has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, it’s important that they stay away from others they could spread the illness to. However, since older adults are at higher risk, it’s also important that they seek medical assistance. Before going in to the doctor, though, they should call ahead so that medical personnel can be ready to assist without putting others in danger. A senior care provider can watch for symptoms of the virus and ensure your older family member receives medical care when needed.
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Lawrenceville, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care today. Call (732) 607-8870.
The Care Street mission is straightforward and compelling: to provide a comprehensive range of the highest quality home health services in a professional and efficient manner that will enhance our clients' quality of life and empower families to keep their loved one at home.
Care Street has earned a reputation of excellence among hundreds of families, and is recommended by medical professionals and hospital discharge planners throughout the State.
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