Tips for the elderly
One of the populations at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19 are older adults (individuals 65 and older). Here are some tips older adults can follow to stay safe and adapt to changes in their daily routines:
- – Stay at home as much as possible.
- – Wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.
- – Avoid close interactions with people who are sick — stay back 6 feet (or about two arm lengths.)
- – Clean surfaces that are frequently touched, such as countertops, electronic devices and doorknobs.
- – Avoid travel such as non-essential air travel and cruises.
- – Call your healthcare professional with any concerns about underlying conditions or COVID-19.
- – Develop a care plan to summarize your health conditions, medications and treatments for family members or home nurse aides. Download the CDC Complete Care Form here.
Stress, coping and engagement
- – Learn new technology to stay connected with friends and family. Platforms include Facebook, Zoom, Skype, Nextdoor, Twitter and Snapchat.
- – Maintain social interactions by regularly calling or emailing loved ones, trying new workout videos on YouTube, checking to see if your church is streaming services, finding your neighborhood group on Facebook or Nextdoor, virtually supporting a shelter animal or volunteering with calls or texts.
- – Limit your news intake to help reduce anxiety. Try to watch for 30 minutes or an hour each day, and avoid watching before bed.
- – Stay healthy by maintaining a balanced diet and exercise, getting enough sleep and relaxing with stretches, a good book or meditation.
- – Reach out to the following services for help with emotions including sadness, depression, anxiety or harmful behaviors:
- – 911
- – Colorado Crisis Services | 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255
- – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. (TTY 1-800-846-8517)
Information from CDC.gov and PBS.org