Coronavirus Pandemic: Keeping Your Loved Ones Safe

The President just declared a National Emergency over the coronavirus pandemic. Schools have closed until April. Restaurants and other public spaces have closed down. You are likely confused and scared at a time like this – especially if you have a loved one in assisted living. Whether a senior, older adult or young person with behavioral challenges, the fact is, they have to be protected from this virus perhaps more than any other segment of the population.

From limiting visitation to practicing good hand washing techniques, here’s how you can lower your loved one’s risk for contracting COVID-19.

What Family Members and Caregivers Can Do

• Cancel all non-essential doctor appointments. Doesn’t matter if it’s a standard check-up or a follow-up appointment for a stable chronic condition or elective procedure. Basically, if it can wait, it should.
• Wash hands frequently, properly and thoroughly. Take a look at this quick tutorial on how to properly wash your hands.
• Place hand sanitizer on bedside tables or in the living room when you can’t get to a sink for a proper washing. It’s a good idea to keep hand sanitizer near the front door so all visitors can sanitize before entering.
• Stock up on the basics, such as toothpaste, detergent, toilet paper, tissues, etc. Online ordering is a better idea than visiting the stores.
• Pick up all prescription medications or have a caregiver do so.
• Make meals ahead of time and freeze them.
• For seniors and other residents who like to occasionally get out of the house, stop all unnecessary visits to public places where crowds may gather or poorly-ventilated buildings increase risk of transmission, including churches, restaurants, stores and malls. With many of these places shutting down, this is easier to follow now.
• Family caregivers should avoid bringing children and pets to visit.
• Limit visits of all kinds to only those that are vital.
• Encourage regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Families: Plan Ahead

There are things family, friends and neighbors of older adults can do for their senior or other loved one who is isolated at home.

• Ask yourself: Does my mother, father, sibling, etc. have what they need to spend an extended period of time inside? No? Help them prepare and gather supplies.
• If a family member is sick, refrain from visiting. Call on the phone or video chat instead.
• If you are a younger, healthy family member who has come into contact with a COVID-19 patient, self-isolate and avoid visiting older, more susceptible family members.

It takes diligence, patience and forethought to ensure everyone’s safety during this pandemic. All of the caregivers here at Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living are taking necessary precautions to protect themselves and the residents they care for.

Contact Heritage Lane Behavioral Assisted Living

To learn more about what we’re doing to keep residents safe, contact us at 480-999-0511.