7 tips that will help you minimize the risk of covid-19 for your elderly parents

There is no denying that old-age people are prone to covid-19. But the good news is that there are a lot of elderly who have also recovered from this pandemic. You just need to follow these tips and your parents are sorted.
tips to protect old people from covid-19
Follow these tips to protect your parents from covid-19. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Team Health Shots Updated: 13 Oct 2023, 15:12 pm IST
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This pandemic doesn’t seem to be ending. The number of infected people is surging day by day. We all are worried about our families especially, our parents, as people of their age are more vulnerable towards this threat.

But the good news is that recently there have been many cases where people of the age around 107 and 81 have also recovered from covid-19. That means if you take the right steps for your parents then you can protect them too.    

That’s why we have got you an expert who will reveal some simple tips that will help you take care of your parents without any hassle.

But first things first, Dr Sandeep Patil, chief intensivist and physician at Fortis Hospital, Kalyan says that you need to sanitize your home first
Dr Patl says that, “One must adhere to basic hygiene practices to curb the spread of infection. While regular hand washing for up to 20 seconds, along with following social distancing protocols is ideal in such a situation, it is also important to keep the surroundings sanitized, especially if you’re living with an older adult.” 

alcohol cure for coronavirus
Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer handy and also educate your parents on how to properly use it. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

He added, “Older individuals are bound to ultimately experience several health issues. However, research suggests that an older adult and those with severe chronic medical conditions or comorbidities such as Heart, Lung or Kidney disease, Diabetes, COPD, and Hypertension are at twofold risk to be seriously infected with covid-19, if exposed to the virus. Even if one is staying indoors, it is imperative to ensure the safety and care of individuals in these age groups, who usually have compromised immune systems.”

So as told by Dr Patil, here are the eight essential and easy steps that you can follow to keep covid-19 at bay from your parents:

1. Wash your hands before touching or helping them
Dr Patil says that, In order to prevent the risk of infection in an older adult, as a caregiver, your prime focus should include precautionary measures of self- protection; which includes frequent and thorough washing of hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is to be followed prior to food preparation, post handling of items, laundry as well as using the bathroom.”

soap and sanitizer
Washing your hand before getting in contact of your parents in a must. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

So, you must ensure that you wash your hands to efficiently keep infection at bay. If you have stepped outside of the house then take a bath on your return. Also, you must keep a sanitizer in hand and use at regular intervals

2. Use disinfectant on their beds and inside their room
“If possible, change the bedsheets and pillow cases once every three-four days. Wash bedsheets and pillows in hot water, preferably separately from the rest of the family’s bedding”, advised Dr Patil. Also, clean the phone that they are using as even that can have covid-19 virus on its surface.

3. Ensure that there is proper ventilation in the room
Keep the room well ventilated during the day for air circulation, and allow cross ventilation.

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4. Keep food and snacks out of bedrooms as crumbs they might attract bacteria

Also, read: Wondering how your parents will cope with covid-19? Well, the ICMR just answered all your burning questions

5. Sanitize the things that they touched every now and then
Ensure to clean and disinfect the commonly touched surfaces- walker, canes, as well as medical equipment.

6. Ask them to bathe daily and change their clothes too
Dr Patil says that, “Practice daily change of clothes, ensure that the elderly wear freshly washed clothes every time they change Their clothes must be washed meticulously with a detergent, preferably in a washing machine If possible, wash laundry with warm water which will aid in killing the germs and make sure they are thoroughly dried in a dryer before being worn again — you can also sundry their clothes. Do not mix your clothes with those of the elderly while washing.”

7. Must clean their washrooms
“While cleaning the bathroom and toilet, use a disinfectant in the bathroom before and after bathing the individual. Ensure the tub, handrails, sink, shower handles, faucets, etc are all cleaned and rinsed with warm water”, said Dr Patil.

covid-19
Clean their room regularly for better protection. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Bottom line is that with these tips you can easily keep your parents at bay from this deadly and highly contagious virus. But what is also important is that you should monitor their condition regularly.

Do you know that Seasonal flu has a considerable impact on older adults? So, ensure to stay in touch with their doctors through e-consultations to receive the right guidance and precautionary guidelines.

Also, spend some time with them. As they can’t go out they might also feel bored and demotivated. So, it becomes all the more important to talk to them, play with them, and exercise with them. Basically, keep them busy so that this period doesn’t take a toll on their mental health.

(With inputs from IANS)

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