Protecting Seniors from Coronavirus

As we begin to enter the third year of the Coronavirus being an all-encompassing fact of life, it is important to remember the various lengths and measures needed to stay safe. While getting the vaccine, and taking the booster shots if able are of course a wonderful idea, that’s still unfortunately not the end-all be-all of protection from Covid-19. Over the past two years, all the things we’ve learned like masks, sanitizing, and social distancing still apply.

Coronavirus is most dangerous to those in poorer health, with comorbidities, the unvaccinated, and those of an advanced age. Those with the vaccine tend to suffer less adverse health effects from contracting the virus, experience shorter hospital stays, and for the most part do not need to be put on respirators. However, as the virus changes and mutates and forms variants, the effectiveness of vaccines is unknown or not as effective. For instance, the Delta or Omicron variants circulating today are able to infect even the vaccinated. Due to this, precautions like distancing, masking, and sanitization are still best practices.

Continue following Centers for Disease Control guidelines for social distancing. As most seniors don’t live in residential care facilities, and either live in multi-generational households, or are aging in place, this means to prepare your or the senior’s home for being able to facilitate limiting time in public spaces. This means having plenty of supplies, and food to prepare on hand. After all, the best way to avoid getting sick with a disease is to avoid being exposed to it in the first place.

For seniors in multiple generation households, keep as much distance between your older loved one and the rest of the house as possible. If able, limit elders to one part of the house, and don’t share personal items with them. Limit their physical contact with other people, and designate one person to act as a primary caregiver. This person should also limit their daily interactions with people outside the home, to reduce their risk of exposure. Every effort should be made to reduce the impact and risk of multigenerational living.

Make sure to wash hands frequently, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Regular washing with soap and water is the most effective protection against spreading the virus, as it prevents us from touching surfaces and contaminating them, or inadvertantly allowing the virus to enter through the membranes of the face. Any hand sanitizer used in lieu of soap and water should be at least 60% alcohol. Clean all surfaces in the household at least daily, or multiple times a day if high use like doorknobs or kitchen surfaces, with a disinfectant effective for use against Covid-19. 

Spending some time outside is important as well. The fear and anxiety that goes hand in hand with this outbreak can feel overwhelming on top of ordinary, everyday stressors. Taking a walk, breathing some fresh air, or simply spending some time in the backyard are all great ways to take a moment to relax and decompress.