As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe, populations are being required and asked to stay home to reduce the impact of the virus. Social distancing practices have been trying on all individuals, but it is important in order to protect older adults and those with underlying medical conditions, who, according to the Centers for Disease Control are at a higher risk for severe illness.
Follow Guidelines and Make a Plan “First and foremost, follow the CDC’s guidelines for daily actions and everyday preventions to protect yourself and others and know the symptoms,” says Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH, and founding director of the Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging.
Those living with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and respiratory illnesses, know the importance of having a plan for care. The CDC suggests taking the same approach and making a plan for how to handle an emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency plan should:
- Identify a close person who can become your caregiver if you become sick.
- Include calling your doctor to check COVID-19 symptoms and how they could affect you. Find out if your health care provider has changed daily operations and if they offer other ways, like telehealth, to keep up with appointments.
- Include a contact list for emergencies.
- Include a list of medications, dosages, and important instructions.
- Include supplies like medications and testing supplies that can last at least 30 days. Contact your doctor to see if you can get prescriptions for extra medications, in case you have to stay home, and determine if your caregiver can pick them up if necessary.
- Include household items and groceries and how to get them delivered, if needed.
“Preparing and sharing your plan with a caregiver, friend, neighbor, or family member is a beneficial step in ensuring you know how to calmly and efficiently handle the situation in case you become sick,” Ory says. “They can also help you monitor medications and household items.”
Follow Reliable and Official Sources for Information Fraudulent schemes and misleading information have already surfaced through social media, therefore make sure to follow reliable sources like the CDC and the World Health Organization for daily updates. In addition, ensure you know where to find local information pertaining to COVID-19; these can include local city government, local news media, and local health and human services offices.
“While it is good to have the most up-to-date information, take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to the news 24/7,” Ory says. “The repetition can be upsetting and should not consume your day.”
Stay Socially Connected While Physically Apart According to the CDC, those at the highest risk—and the most likely taking extensive measures to social distance—are at the most risk for loneliness and isolation. Make sure to maintain social connection while physically distancing—making the time to talk and connect with others is even more important during social distancing.
Matthew Lee Smith, PhD, MPH, CHES, and co-director of CPHA, says that having a daily purpose is important and can keep you engaged.
“One highly recommended avenue to stay engaged is through virtual volunteering. This can take several forms like buying gift cards to support local small businesses to offering to teach virtual lessons for teachers and their classes—it can be done by any age group,” Smith says.
For those who are healthy and less vulnerable to COVID-19 complications, discover if your local community has a program that can match you with high-risk individuals needing assistance.
“The Bryan College Station COVID-19 High-Risk Match Program is a great local effort that allows high-risk individuals to request assistance for things like grocery and medication runs,” Smith says. “Those at lower-risk to COVID-19 can make supply runs for older adults, but they can also help with household chores or make phone calls to let those in social isolation know someone cares.”
This commentary is brought to you by the Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging. The center strives to bring together stakeholders and partners from the community, clinical, and corporate sectors to address the needs of older adults. Working together, CPHA’s mission is to keep Texans “Active for Life®…Every one! Every age! Every day!” For more information about CPHA, visit www.cpha.tamhsc.edu.
