Victorian Senior Care is taking necessary precautions to keep our residents safe. It’s important that you keep up to date with the ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus – especially for seniors because of their susceptibility. There are specific precautions older adults can take to lower their risk of contracting this possibly fatal virus. Please follow the necessary precautions listed below to help your senior loved ones overcome this in the best way possible.
What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette.
Most common symptoms:
Fever
Dry cough
Tiredness
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Those with weakened immune systems may develop more serious symptoms, like pneumonia or bronchitis. You may never develop symptoms after being exposed to COVID-19. So far, most confirmed cases are in adults, but some children have been infected. There is no evidence that children are at greater risk for getting the virus. Why is COVID-19 So Dangerous to Seniors?
Seniors and people with severe chronic illness are more likely to become severely ill from Covid-19. It’s possible to contract the virus at a younger age — it’s just more dangerous in older adults because the immune system weakens with age. What precautions you should take now:
To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wear a mask while in public and maintain at least 6 feet distance between you and other people.
Avoid touching your face.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.
Follow these 5 steps to washing your hands the right way:
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Is Self Isolation Necessary?
High-risk groups in communities with outbreaks should stay home as much as possible also people who believe they’re sick should isolate themselves.
But long-term isolation can be damaging. So if you need to isolate yourself:
Don’t cut off contact with family or friends.
Keep in touch to update them on your condition and curb boredom.