Take care of your elderly during COVID-19

24/03/2023

As this pandemic kills more and more people with each passing day, we should be concerned about our loved ones, especially our elders. Our parents and grandparents who are above the age of 50 need our attention now more than ever. This is because their immune system is weak compared to their kids and grandkids. Our elders have taken care of us when we were children and now it's our turn to take care of them.

Here are a few tips that we should consider for keeping our elders healthy not only physically but also mentally.

    • Have a regular telephonic conversation with them to ensure adequate emotional support. This will keep them happy.
    • Supervise whether their hand and respiratory hygiene is proper.
    • Try online consultation as much as possible for any of their health issues. Avoid taking them to the hospital until and unless it is an emergency.
    • If any of their elective surgeries like cataract, hernia or knee-replacements were scheduled please postpone them unless it is a complicated case.
    • Try and ensure that they have an adequate amount of nutrition, and add immune boosters like food with vitamin C and D to their diet.
    • Please ask them to avoid self-medication and not to try out any unproven medications. If you feel any discomfort or symptoms please contact the doctor immediately.
    • People living with elders should also wash their hands before and after providing care, preparing food, using the bathroom, or touching surfaces in public places.
    • If your elders need to step out please ask them to use a mask and tell them to sanitize their hands frequently with an alcohol-based sanitizer.
    • If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with the bend of your elbow or use disposable tissue.
    • Please clean the touched surfaces in your home often, including mobility and medical equipment used by your loved one, such as a walker, medicine box, remote, etc.
    • If you are living with your elders and you cough or sneeze or aren't feeling well please isolate yourself from them.
    • Ensure their medical supplies are stocked adequately.
    • Help them stay connected with friends and close family members. Make use of technology.
    • Suggest on cutting down on listening to news all the time which is only COVID related.
Dr Shilpa Aralikar
Consultant Physician, Continental Hospitals

Disclaimer: : The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the organization.

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