(d) Guests/Visitors
(i) Preferably guests should not be allowed to visit. In case it is necessary for some guest to meet an elder, he/she should be sure that they don’t have flu like symptoms, leave their shoes outside, sanitize their hands and then enter the room. The guest should have no physical contact with an elder, adequate distance should be maintained and meeting time should be minimal.
(e) Daily Monitoring
(i) Elder Monitoring
(aa) Vitals monitoring.
(ab) Look for symptoms of fever, dry cough & breathlessness.
(ac) Use of mask by elders in case of any symptoms mentioned above.
(ad) In case of any positive symptoms, contact elder’s doctor and health care coordinator
immediately.
(ae) If tested positive for COVID-19 facilitate shifting to earmarked quarantine facility/ hospital.
(ii) Caregiver Monitoring
(aa) Routine checkups via video calls.
(ab) Look for any behavioral or emotional changes.
(ac) Look for symptoms of fever, dry cough & breathlessness. In case of any such symptoms, care giver should be replaced immediately. The care giver should consult the doctor.
(ad) Routine evaluation of their knowledge on hygiene and sanitization.
Care & Coordination
(a) Movement of Staff
(i) Suggest ‘At Home’ (24 Hours) services over ‘Visiting’ (12 Hours) Services.
In case of visiting services, caregiver must take a shower, change the clothes and ensure that he/she doesn’t have any flu like symptoms or fever before going into an elder’s room.
(ii) Ensure minimal movement or change in staff.
(iii) Issue Curfew Passes/ Identity Cards.
(b) Payment
(i) Push for cash less transactions/ payments from clients.
(ii) Avoid cash handlings.
(c) Staff Management
(i) Maintain adequate pool of caregivers.
(ii) Carryout routine training and screening of staff before deployment.
Conclusion. Keeping abreast with the ongoing situation it is the right time now, to return back to our elders and keep them safe at home. We should staunchly practice “social and physical distancing but not social isolation”. The nation’s mantra is “Stay home, Stay safe”.
Health Advisory for Elderly Population of India during COVID19 Pandemic (Extract from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare – MoHFW)
COVID-19 transmission among elderly population can be reduced by taking following measures:
DO’s
- Stay at home. Avoid meeting visitors at home. If meeting is essential, maintain a distance of one meter (3 feet).
- Wash your hands and face at regular intervals with soap and water.
- Sneeze and cough either into your elbow or into tissue paper / handkerchief. After coughing or sneezing dispose of the tissue paper/ wash your handkerchief.
- Ensure proper nutrition through home cooked fresh hot meals, hydrate frequently and take fresh juices to boost immunity.
- Exercise and meditate.
- Take your daily prescribed medicines regularly.
- Talk to your family members (not staying with you), relatives, friends via call or video conferencing, take help from family members if needed
- Postpone your elective surgeries (if any) like cataract surgery or total knee replacement
- Clean the frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant regularly.
- Monitor your health. If you develop fever, cough and/or breathing difficulty immediately contact nearest health care facility and follow the medical advice rendered
DON’Ts
- Do not cough or sneeze into your bare hands or without covering your face.
- Don’t go near your contacts if you are suffering from fever and cough.
- Don’t touch your eyes, face, nose and tongue.
- Don’t go near affected/ sick people.
- Don’t self-medicate.
- Don’t shake hands or hug your friends and near ones.
- Do not go to hospital for routine checkup or follow up. As far as possible make tele-consultation with your healthcare provider.
- Don’t go to crowded places like parks, markets and religious places.
- Don’t go out unless it is absolutely essential. Stay Home Stay Safe