Older Adults at Risk: 15 Tips to Protect Them from Coronavirus

The world is on alert for COVID-19, better known as the coronavirus. While few serious cases have been reported in Latin America, some have been identified in advanced stages, such as one fatality in Argentina.

Adults over 60 are among the most vulnerable groups , especially those with certain respiratory conditions or cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and smokers.

The risk would also be higher in people with cancer or chronic respiratory problems .

Beyond this threat, which is causing an increasing number of infections worldwide, there's no need to panic; instead, we should take certain precautions to avoid infection.

Below, Theramart offers 15 tips to help you protect your family member from the coronavirus , and to understand that prevention is the most important thing of all.

Coronavirus Symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to those of the common cold, which is why professional care is often not sought and the disease is allowed to progress until it becomes complicated and more difficult to treat.

The first symptoms may appear up to 14 days after a person is exposed to the virus.

If your family member shows any of the symptoms listed below, immediately alert emergency medical services so they can conduct the necessary tests to rule out coronavirus.

• Sleepiness
• Lack of appetite
• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Difficulty breathing

 How is it spread?

While several international health organizations, such as the WHO, are continually reporting cases and updating safety protocols, it is still unclear how contagious this virus is .

Everything indicates that it is transmitted between people who are in close contact , through saliva or mucus that is released when someone infected coughs or sneezes.

Tips to protect older adults from the Coronavirus

Although these tips are numbered, they are all equally important to prevent infection in older adults, whether they are at home or in a nursing home.

1.  Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
2. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or the bend of your elbow.
3. Ventilate the home.
4. Sanitize surfaces and everyday objects that may come into contact with germs.
5. Minimize social activities in enclosed spaces with a significant number of attendees.
6. Consult a professional if you experience any of the above symptoms, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.
7. Do not self-medicate the elderly.
8. Do not underestimate any manifestation or symptomatology.
9. Get the flu vaccine and follow the pneumococcal sequential schedule for each country.
10. Avoid direct contact with other people who have respiratory illnesses.
11. If possible, postpone travel to locations where there are coronavirus cases on alert.
12. Prevent the adult from touching their face, eyes, nose, and mouth if they have not sanitized their hands.
13. Avoid sharing kitchen utensils and accessories if someone in the house has a respiratory condition.
14. Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat or offal.
15. If the adult is in a nursing home, avoid visits from people who have respiratory conditions or cold symptoms.

If you're planning to quarantine with your senior, here are 5 activities you can do at home with them. CORONAVIRUS AND ISOLATION: 5 TIPS FOR COPING WITH YOUR OLDER ADULTS DURING THE PANDEMIC

What did you think of these tips? Would you add any more to the list? Remember that it's very important to follow each country's COVID-19 health protocols .

This includes taking a sworn statement each time you arrive at an airport from a destination with a reported high number of cases.

And also how to immediately report any symptoms of Coronavirus to the local emergency services, so they can assess the case and isolate if necessary.