COVID-19 has evoked a sense of fear in everyone, specifically among older people. They are more vulnerable to the virus, because of a lowered immune system. Therefore, making the recovery process either slow or complicated. This has triggered the panic button among many elderly adults.
How COVID Transformed Elderly Care During the Pandemic
For elderly people with health concerns like diabetes, heart, lung, kidney or any other complicated diseases, routine check-ups are another concern they face. They also need to be extra cautious to stay safe in this situation, as it could further complicate things for them. While there is so much said about how vulnerable the older people are towards COVID, it has changed the way everyone takes care of their parents and grandparents. Here’s how:
Whether your parents and grandparents live in the same city as you do or a different city, busy schedules have made it difficult to visit them often. Visits become occasional. Thus, making them feel unwanted. With busy schedules, everyone has forgotten to stop by and check on their parents/grandparents whenever they just felt like. This unfortunate outbreak of COVID-19 has made everyone realise that more care and attention needs to be shown for their elderly loved ones.
While you are taking care of their daily needs, medication and spending more time with the older adults, you should keep a tab on their mental health. Mental Health issues are as important as physical health and are commonly seen among the older adults for various reasons like isolation, loneliness, anxiety disorders, dementia and psychosis among others. The World Health Organization says 15% of adults aged around 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder. Most often the mental health issues among any age group are overlooked, let alone among older adults.
Talking to them about their feelings and emotions is the first step. Make them a part of your lives. Get kids to spend more time with their grandparents. Take them out every now and then, even if it is as simple as taking them to a park or to a nearby mall. A change in their daily life will do them good. And if their mental health doesn’t seem to get better, seek professional help.
All said and done, COVID has made everyone realise that the elderly adults need more care and attention then they think.
There are surely new challenges that arise when it comes to elder-care. At Primus, our goal isn’t just to help elders but to provide the quality of life they deserve. During the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, we ensured that our seniors were taken care of. With 24/7 security team to handle the upkeep housekeeping and catering, in house nurses and doctor on call along with social distancing and round the clock hygiene checks, our senior living community was safe and protected.
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