The pandemic has continued to place a tremendous amount of pressure on so many people across the country and the world. One group who has had it the hardest, and are also the most affected by it, are the elderly. They are the most at risk, but also the most in need of assistance and caregiving. Many families and services have had a difficult time figuring out how to provide proper care.
Since the beginning of the pandemic earlier this year, we at Coastal Home Care have trained and outfitted our certified caregivers with everything they need to continue performing excellent senior companion care services to our patients throughout Sussex County, DE. We have also added numerous procedures to our operations to prevent any chance of infection, such as daily screenings and regular virtual communication among staff.
Below, we discuss how the virus can spread and ways to prevent it from doing so to keep your elder loved ones safe and comfortable during this time.
Ways COVID-19 Spreads
Those who have caught and been infected with COVID-19 can spread the disease, even if they no longer have or seem to have never received serious symptoms of it. Here are some of the ways that the coronavirus has spread:
- Prolonged close contact, usually within six feet.
- Contact or inhalation of breath or water vapor after a cough or sneeze.
- Contact with high-touch or potentially infected areas, then touching sensitive areas that could lead to infection, such as the face, eyes, and mouth.
How to Protect Your Elders from COVID-19
As we grow older, we become more susceptible to serious illnesses. According to the CDC, 8 out of 10 adults who received a severe illness from COVID-19 were over the age of 65. This means that our elders are at higher risk than most others, which requires us to be more careful and vigilant when providing them care. Here’s what elder caregivers should do to keep their loved ones safe from any potential harm from the coronavirus:
- Perform proper social distancing procedures with your elder, especially if you are aware that you or someone with you have been showing symptoms of COVID-19.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth, especially if you haven’t sanitized and/or have been in a high touch area.
- Clean and disinfect any shared objects or surfaces.
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap
- Stock up on medicine and groceries to reduce the amount of trips you take outdoors.
- Stay home as much as possible, since doing so is a vital way for your elder loved one to remain safe and protected.
- Always wear face masks and gloves whenever you and your loved one are outside of your home to ensure you both are protected from spreading or receiving infection.
Coastal Home Care: Quality Senior Companion Care in Sussex County, DE
Giving care to our elders has become a significant challenge due to this pandemic. However, in following the tips and procedures listed above, you’ll at least be able to provide comfort and safety for your senior loved one. We at Coastal Home Care can help, as well, as we continue to provide reliable senior companion care to families and elders across Sussex County, DE. Our registered nurses and caregivers are trained to combat the virus while providing the essential elder care services that are needed now more than ever.
Contact us at (866) 687-7307 for more information about our companion care services today.