SeaCare's guide to staying calm in the case of a viral outbreak

With an outbreak as widespread as the Coronavirus, it’s hard to not to panic while going about daily life. There’s only so much a person can do to keep their family safe in these situations, and the responsibility becomes even more of an undertaking when dealing with vulnerable age groups, such as seniors.

Yet, there are actionable steps you can take to keep everyone you love safe. Here are a few tips to keep things in perspective and to focus on the important aspects of caregiving.  

Healthy Seniors at home

Prioritize health above all else. It’s hard enough to balance taking care of a parent or relative in addition to work and other life obligations. During a viral outbreak, health organizations recommend social distancing, especially if the person someone is caring for is more vulnerable to contracting an illness. If you are a caretaker at your household and have the option, working from home can reduce your exposure to the virus and in turn reduce the chances of seniors contracting the disease. Beyond that, limiting physical contact with strangers and public spaces will help reduce your risk of coming into contact with the virus. 

Washing Hands

 

Take necessary precautions. Most of us have read enough about preventative measures by now, which include washing your hands for 20 seconds at a time as often as possible, avoiding touching surfaces in communal areas, and advising your patient or client do the same. Common sense goes a long way in circumstances like these. 

talk-of-seniors-in-cafe-UZY8LAB

 

Communicate. If your caretaker is someone other than yourself, make sure they are also monitoring their health and keeping in mind who they’ve been in close proximity with. The positive aspect a bout in-home care in this case is that there’s less people that may come into contact with your loved one. You likely know the caretaker well, and can determine how your senior is being cared for.

 

Read only reputable sources for sanity’s sake, and to keep panic from spreading. Misinformation and false news can catch on fast in these scenarios, and it doesn’t help the situation. Stay informed but don’t drive yourself nuts!

 senior-man-reading-newspaper-LEU93F6

 

Keep calm. Stress takes away from the body's immunity to protect itself from outside invaders. Of course, do all you can within your power to keep yourself and those around you protected and healthy, and then move on with daily life. It doesn’t help to worry or stress about actions that are out of your control. It’s important to keep your family informed without alarming them. 

cheerful-senior-woman-making-a-video-call-QDFKVE6

“For most people, this illness is mild and manageable at home,” according to a message to members by Dr. Paul Sherman, the Chief Medical Officer of the Community Health Plan of Washington. That’s not to underplay that the overall health, immune system and age of a person factor into their susceptibility of contracting the virus and the severity of it. 

Here are some useful resources from the Community Health Plan of Washington to keep informed and on top of prevention: 

If you or a loved one you know are looking for additional support during this time and are interested in scheduling a free in-home assessment please contact SeaCare In-Home Care Services today! A SeaCare family member is standing by. 425-559-4339

1 Comment