Providing Proper Care For The Elderly While Contending With COVID-19
As of March 17th, the CDC has confirmed 4,226 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Needless to say, it’s necessary for us all to take action to prevent the spread of infection. This is especially true if you are the caregiver of a senior. Older adults are most at risk of succumbing to the illnesses brought on by the coronavirus. So what can you do to help?
Say No to Visitations
Unfortunately, social distancing is the name of the game at this time in our lives. While we’d all love to see members of our family and our friends, it’s imperative that we stick to a self-isolation schedule. The truth is that you don’t know who your family and friends have come into contact with over the past couple of weeks. Limiting your exposure to just about everyone is literally the best way to stop the spread of coronavirus.
It should go without saying that such items as toothbrushes, towels, bed linens and utensils should never be shared. For hygienic reasons, these are personal items that should be used only by one person. However, other items that are generally shared, such as electronic devices, should also be used by only one individual. Your cell phone, remote control, and tablet shouldn’t be shared during this time. Be sure to disinfect them regularly as well.
Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose, and Mouth With Unwashed Hands
This is right up there with washing your hands as a top rule to follow during the COVID-19 crisis. Don’t touch your face. It’s that simple. Unless your hands have recently been washed with warm water and soap, it’s important to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Bottom line: your face is a no-touch zone! Following this rule will greatly reduce your risk of becoming infected.
Also Read: 4 Ways To Grow The Self-Worth Of Your Elderly Loved One
Dry Your Hands With Disposable Paper Towels
You don’t want to keep wet towels around for too long these days. If you are still using traditional reusable towels, you will have to do the laundry more often. Dirty towels don’t help you to keep your hands clean. When you’re finished washing your hands, you want to ensure you’re using dry, clean towels to dry off. If necessary, remove dirt from your hands using a wet wipe or hand sanitizer.
Stock up on Essentials
Allow us to be clear with respect to this tip. Do NOT go into a panic-buying mode. The last thing you need to do is purchase 12 packages of toilet paper, leaving none for your neighbors. You need to make sure you have adequate essentials. Obviously, in addition to toiletries, it’s wise to have at least a couple of weeks of food stored in your home. Consider hitting dollar stores for canned goods. They’re generally less busy than supermarkets and, of course, reasonably affordable.
Also Read: How To Make Taking A Shower An Injury-Free Experience
At Forward Day, we’d like to offer you as much help as we can give you in caring for your elderly loved one. If you have any questions about our Shower Bay portable showers, please don’t hesitate to contact us to ask them. Give us a call at 1-877-593-4461 or email us at info@showerbay.com.
