This year may be one of the most challenging years that a person can experience in their lifetime. Suddenly, our lives have drastically changed with no clue on when it will be normal again.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people worldwide. The pandemic affected all of us, but it has been particularly hard for older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the danger of being severely ill from COVID-19 rises with age, with older people at the highest risk.
Here are some guidelines on how you can take care of a senior if you have one in your household.
Install grab bars around the house
Grab bars are devices that can be installed to help people maintain their balance and lessen the effort needed to lift their weight. It is usually installed in areas around the house that can cause slip and fall, such as the bathroom.
If you haven’t noticed, older people are fragile and generally have a hard time maneuvering due to old age. Grab bars will help them transition from sitting to a standing position or needing help in balancing themselves, especially in the bathroom.
This simple yet effective device is a good investment since it can also help young people and pregnant women if you also have those in your household. It will help in avoiding accidents that may cause fatal injuries.
And as we know, a hospital trip is not ideal for anyone during a health crisis. Just make sure that you sanitize your grab bars regularly and adequately.
HVAC system
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. They are used in maintaining a good quality of airflow in a closed area.
People breathe 24 hours a day. Thus, it is vital to make sure that what we breathe and take in is clean. The COVID-19 virus can be transmitted through droplets but may still spread in an area with poor indoor ventilation.
The World Health Organization mentioned that ventilation is an essential factor in preventing the virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading indoors. They also suggested some steps on how to improve it.
However, if you already have an HVAC system in your house, you should probably consider adjusting, testing, balancing. Consultation with professionals regarding your household health, especially if you have elders, will never be a wrong step.
Get them a senior medical insurance
Getting sick is not entirely in our control, and most people do get sick at some point in their lives. Health insurance is a type of insurance policy that will help you cover prescription drugs, surgeries, or any medical expenses that the insured has collected.
Since most elder people already have maintenance medicines to help their bodies, this will allow financial assistance. And if you can, get health insurance for the whole family instead.
It would be best to consult multiple insurance companies and get a comparison quote first. This way, you will be able to choose which would best fit your elderly.
Take care of yourself, too
Taking care of yourself should be a given if you have an elderly in your household during a pandemic. Make sure to shower first if you came from outside of the house before interacting with them. Maintain social distancing if possible.
It can be stressful sometimes, so you need to be self-aware regarding how much you can give without harming your own health. If you feel that you can’t do it alone, you can consider hiring a caregiver.
There’s no shame, and it takes an open mind and courage to seek help from professionals, but this can all be worth it and can be for the good of all involved. If you are a breadwinner and tends to a lot of things in the house, then this is for you.
Counseling and Consultation
Professional counseling can help reduce stress and cope skills to avoid possible burnout. Your mental health is as important as your physical one.
Same as counseling, consultation should be regularly scheduled. This can avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room and can save you time and energy. A regular check-up for you and your elderly loved one should also be of utmost importance.
Many people think that taking care of elderly people is just a waste of effort. But with these guides, you can still have quality time with them while avoiding too much stress and strain on your health. Everyone involved must feel loved and appreciated, especially during these challenging times.
