Coronavirus has everyone understandably concerned these days. It can be especially worrisome for both seniors and family caregivers. For older adults, this virus is risky because aging immune systems are less capable of handling new challenges. If you’re a family caregiver, your own health is equally important, since you’ll be in regular contact with an older loved one in need of care. Below, you’ll find tips you and your loved one should keep in mind to minimize issues with viruses, bacteria, and other harmful microorganisms (pathogens).

Wash Hands

Hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect against exposure to viruses and bacteria that can affect the immune system. The CDC recommends using soap and water and washing hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. The common advice for timing 20 seconds is to sing the “Happy Birthday” song. When washing hands, don’t forget the fingernails. Also, jewelry on fingers and wrists should be removed, since germs can gather on such items. If your loved one needs help following healthy habits that can protect his or her immune system, a home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of homecare. Galt Ocean Mile families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

Practice Good Cough/Sneeze Etiquette

Because coronavirus is highly transmittable, seniors and caregivers are advised to get into the habit of coughing and sneezing into their elbows or using a tissue when one is handy. If the hand is used to cover the mouth, hands should be washed immediately afterward.

Be Safe with Medical Injections

If injections are needed for medical reasons, the spread of germs can be minimized by taking precautions, which means using one needle and one syringe per injection. Do this for your loved one if you regularly help with injections, which may be the case if your loved one needs insulin to control diabetes.

Sanitize Surroundings

Viruses and bacteria are invisible to the eye and easily spreadable, especially on surfaces that are commonly touched. This method of transfer can be reduced by regularly cleaning surfaces like countertops and tables that are frequently touched. Properly sanitize surfaces by:

• Dipping a clean cloth in distilled white vinegar (undiluted)
• Mixing half a cup of baking soda with a quart of water to make your own abrasive cleaner if you don’t have a cleaning product handy
• Rinsing the counter with a clean damp cloth when done

Limit In-Person Contact

Realistically, you can’t avoid being in contact with a loved one who needs your help. But you can reduce exposure to viruses and bacteria by following social distancing guidelines when you’re in public and encouraging your loved one to do the same. Using home delivery services and remote technology are some other ways to reduce unnecessary in-person contact. To keep your loved one from having to go out, a home caregiver can run errands for him or her, including shopping for groceries and picking up prescriptions. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of elderly home care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

Consider In-Home Care

If you have concerns about unintentionally exposing your loved one to viruses and bacteria that might compromise his or her immune system because you’re regularly around other people for work or at home with kids and other immediate family members, in-home care is an option to consider. Home care is provided in a senior’s own home by a professional caregiver who is well trained in home safety and personal hygiene. Though assisted living facilities take measures to prevent exposure to viruses, your loved one might come into contact with several people in these facilities on a daily basis. With in-home care, your loved one only receives help from a single caregiver. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. To learn about our high-quality in-home care services, give us a call at (954) 909-0370 today. With information surrounding coronavirus/COVID-19 changing by the hour, it’s challenging to stay updated on the most recent best practices for keeping seniors safe at home. At Home Care Assistance, we understand how critical it is for seniors and their caregivers to protect against coronavirus as much as possible. All our team members have received detailed communication on infection control protocols, including effective cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and hands. Our caregivers can pick up medications, groceries, and anything else a senior needs, minimizing their interaction with large groups of people. For more information on how Home Care Assistance helps protect clients, click here: https://www.homecareassistanceftlauderdale.com/covid-19-home-care/.