How to protect older adults from COVID-19

How to protect older adults from COVID-19

It is worth knowing some means to protect older adults from COVID-19, especially for those who recognize the great work they have played for us.

Faced with this pandemic We know that those who are most vulnerable are our older adults. However, we can use some resources to protect them. Depending on the lifestyle of each human being, the natural process of aging can be positive or negative.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns, in the first place, that any 60 -year -old is considered as older and, secondly, those older adults who require constant medical observation and observation, due to The presence of certain diseases. So, it is not only about physical care, but also social and psychological. Now, it is more than ever to ask how to protect adults to older adults from COVID-19.

Content

Toggle
  • Protect older adults from COVID-19
  • How to protect older adults from COVI-19
  • Finally
    •  Bibliography

Protect older adults from COVID-19

If something has sounded more in the news, it is that the most fragile population is that of the elderly, therefore, it is urgent to protect older adults from COVID-19 and everything that this implies. However, In addition to protecting them from physical diseases and safeguarding them from the coronavirus, it is also important to take care of their mental health, especially for the isolation and social distance they are going through.

It is of the utmost importance that our older adults remain integrated to the family and that they have some type of social interaction, so that their quality of life does not go to detriment during quarantine.

Per se, Older adults are already facing a type of discrimination, So it is more urgent than ever being aware of them and transmitting our love.

The UN human rights expert, Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, has emphasized that Social distancing should not be a mode of exclusion or social discrimination And he has felt alarmed by the abandonment that the elderly have suffered, who, precisely, are at greater risk against Coronavirus.

In a fact that isolation can cause feelings of loneliness, but, How many of us have wondered how our loved ones of the elderly feel at this time?

In addition to fear of pandemic, uncertainty, loneliness and fear of not seeing their loved ones or even being able to communicate with them. There are some recommendations that we can follow to take care of our older people.


How to protect older adults from COVI-19

Among the recommendations, some are both for those who are caregivers and for the people who are under care:

  1. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water at least for twenty seconds, or have antibacterial gels. Those who cannot comply with this guideline alone, then deserve to receive the necessary help to do so.
  2. If you greet, then do not do it with kisses or hugs. Do not expose older adults to higher risk.
  3. Cancels those medical consultations that are not essential, or ask the doctor if you can do it by video call.
  4. Keep the distance, at least one meter, with your loved one.
  5. Avoid agglomerations. If you are taking care of older adults, it is crucial that you have good health.
  6. Clean frequently, with soap and water, surfaces that more are touched and that older adults can also touch, such as tables, light switches, taps, door handles, cell phones or other.
  7. Caregivers must use tapping Being close to older adults, as well as their hands should be washed before establishing contact, and then.
  8. Support them of enough food and their medicines: indicated by the doctor so that they are not forced to leave home.

With these simple recommendations you can protect older adults from COVID-19; Of course, there are more things you could do for them, it's just about using ingenuity a bit.

Functions of the elderly psychologist

Finally

Protecting older adults from COVD-19 is necessary, as well as we must understand that they feel much regret when they cannot see their loved ones, so they should be explained that it is an isolation, but not an abandonment.

Also, they should be told that, if for a period they will not receive the same visits as before, it is because they are loved and want to keep them safe. Responsible and unconditional love implies taking care of us, to also take care of the beings who have given us life, and of all those older adults who are part of the family and whom we also love.

Let's use calls, video calls and any technological resource so that older adults know that we think about them, we care and love them.

In a simple way, We can make them feel that "we are here", that we want to protect them from COVID-19 And, every night, it is essential to tell them "I love you", so they can rest and feel calm to know that their family is also well.

An interesting fact is that there are older adults who believe in God or practice some form of religiosity, but that due to the same circumstances they have not been able to gather, What if at dawn, or before we sleep, we make a call and read a passage from the Bible - or sacred book - preferred?

Only a little creativity is required, but Let's never abandon the people who gave us support and support during their youth and who made great contributions to our countries. The last thing we want is to feel alone and suffer from another terrible evil: depression.  Let's start by becoming aware and protecting older adults from COVID-19, they deserve this opportunity.

If you feel that you do not have more tools, or that you need another pair of ideas, do not hesitate to contact through a call to the head doctor of your loved one and ask you additional measures on how to protect older adults from COVID-19.

Our loved ones, they tell you!

Older adult care guidelines

Bibliography

  • López-Pérez, b., Fernández-Pinto, i., & Márquez-González, M. (2017). Emotional education in adults and older people. Electronic Journal of Research in Education Psychology. MIES. (2013). Older adults. Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion Ecuador.
  • World Health Organization. (2017). Mental health and older adults. World Health Organization.
  • Rivera-Ledesma, a., & Montero, M. (2005). Spirituality and religiosity in Mexican older adults. Mental health.