Providing Quality Care To Your Older Adult Is The Need Of The Hour Now

In the unprecedented times that we are in, chances are good you might be stressing about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting and may continue to affect your ability to provide necessary care. COVID-19 cannot be taken lightly, it causes fever, headache, and breathing problems, and when severe, kidney failure, and severe respiratory issues can occur, which might lead to death eventually. COVID-19 is especially dangerous for seniors as they are more vulnerable than others to develop severe symptoms or complications as a result of infection due to their compromised immune system. Social distancing is recommended, as well as good hygiene and healthy self-care.

Amidst the crisis we are in when family members and dear friends are continuing to providing daily care, the pandemic has made the role of caretaker even more complex. Being a caregiver to a loved one is an incredibly rewarding experience, yet it’s often also a challenging one, more so when challenges in the form of the recent COVID-19 pandemic necessitate quickly adapting our caregiving plans. The barrage of information about COVID-19 that caregivers are being inundated with can be quite overwhelming, making it even more difficult to develop habits and strategies to maintain their as well as their loved ones’ health and well-being. Caregivers must comply with the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to limit viral transmission, not to mention to avoid the ever-present risk of caregiver burnout.

Here are some tips on how caregivers can care for an elderly person at home:

Handwashing–  Make sure to wash your hands in hot, soapy water at regular intervals all through the day to keep yourself from contracting the disease, or you might be putting your loved one’s life in jeopardy.

Use hand sanitizer– You should always have a hand sanitizer with you, whenever you go out, which must contain at least 60 percent alcohol.

Avoid touching your face– Do not touch your face, including rubbing your eyes or scratching the nose. You might not even realize if you’ve been exposed to a virus, and before you know it the bug will be transferred as you touch your face.

Limit exposure- The only way to reduce transmission of Coronavirus is by reducing your (as well as your loved one’s) exposure to the virus, which is only possible when you stay at home and away from other people as much as possible. Social distancing is the key to that. Utilize services like home delivered meals, online shopping, etc. wherever possible.

Schedule virtual visits– Everyone is adapting to the new normal in terms of resorting to technology for everything possible, even doctors have moved to virtual visits till everything is under control.

Other safety measures that can help you lower your family members’ risk for the illness include

1. Always cough into your elbow and rinse your hands often, and ask your older adult to do the same.
2. Watch out for signs of fever like a flushed face or sweating. Also, observe cough or if your senior loved one is struggling for breath.
3. Disinfect your senior’s environment frequently.

Caring for someone with dementia is a different ball game altogether in light of the pandemic, as their odds of contracting the virus are higher. Choosing a reputable North Phoenix assisted living facility is the best way forward. Caregivers at such facilities are well-trained and completely updated on any new information on the COVID-19, and exercise all safety measures to ensure your loved one’s well-being.

Call Anthem Seniors at 602.909.9550.