How Senior Adults Can Stay Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the nation, research has shown that senior adults and people with underlying health conditions are the demographics at the highest risk of critical complications from the illness.

The risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases as you get older. According to the CDC, the most significant group at risk is people aged 85 or older. While COVID-19 is dangerous for senior adults, there are several things that everyone can do to reduce your risk and stay healthy during the pandemic.

 

How Senior Adults Can Stay Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

 

At USA Healthcare, we offer premier elderly care to our Alabama residents in our skilled nursing facilities. We’re deeply invested in the well-being and safety of the senior adults in our community. Our USA Healthcare team has compiled the recommendations and relevant resources needed to help senior adults stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Reducing Your Risk

 

COVID-19 is an illness to take seriously, especially as a senior adult. Eight out of ten COVID-19-related deaths in the U.S. have been adults 65 years and older. As a senior adult, you are at high risk for severe illness if you experience COVID-19. Severe illness can result in hospitalization, intensive care, a necessary ventilator, or death.

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Ultimately, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure to the virus. However, there are several practical things that you can do daily to help reduce your risk of getting COVID-19. 

 

Here are some of the CDC recommendations for preventing the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands. Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, and use hand sanitizer.
  
• Social distance. Put six feet of space between yourself and people who don’t live with you, and limit interactions with other people.
  

• Wear a mask. Wearing a mask protects others that you come in contact with, just in case you are infected.
  

• Clean and disinfect surfaces. Wipe down frequently touched surfaces every day. These high-touch surfaces include countertops, doorknobs, light switches, car handles, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, etc.
  

• Monitor your health. Be alert to your health. Watch for COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

 

If you do get sick, follow the CDC guidelines on what to do, and reach out to a trusted loved one to let them know. If you’re experiencing emergency warning signs, call 911 or your local emergency facility.  

 

Resources for Senior Adults

 

Between monitoring doctor’s appointments, changes in Medicare and Medicaid, and finances, senior adults have a lot on their plate already. During this time, senior adults need to know that they don’t have to have it all figured out on their own. 

 

The following resources help senior adults and caregivers through the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond:

• Center for Disease Control – Information on COVID-19
• Medicare – Official Updates on COVID-19
• Meals On Wheels and Feeding America – Food Options for Senior Adults 
• BenefitsCheckUp.Org – Bills and Benefits Aid 
• GoodRx – Affordable Prescriptions 
• ElderCare Locator – Transportation Services 
• National Suicide Prevention Hotline – Mental Health Services

 

These resources are only a few of the many resources available to senior adults in Alabama and throughout the United States. For more information, visit our USA Healthcare Resources page.

 

USA Healthcare: Benefits of a Skilled Nursing Facility

 

Skilled nursing facilities allow senior adults to receive the care they need in a comfortable, safe environment. At USA Healthcare, we offer personalized and planned nursing care for each of our residents, with our goal being for each resident to achieve their highest quality of life.

Currently, the CDC has many recommendations for long-term skilled nursing facilities like USA Healthcare. The CDC has advised that skilled nursing facilities: 

• Restrict visitors to the facility
• Require any guests to wear masks 
• Routinely check employees and residents for fevers and other COVID-19 symptoms
• Limit activities to keep residents distanced from each other and safe

 

At USA Healthcare, it’s our privilege to treat your loved ones like our own family. Over the last several months, we’ve worked hard to abide by the guidelines the CDC has provided while still maintaining the morale and comfort of our residents. This pandemic has been hard on everyone, but we truly are all in this together.

 

USA Healthcare: Where Your Family Is Our Family 

Learn more about our Alabama skilled nursing facilities and long-term care options at USA Healthcare. Contact us today for more information or to set up an appointment.