5 Caregiver Strategies for Lowering COVID-19 Risk

By 9  am on

Caregiver Tips for Reducing COVID-19 Risk in Jefferson County, CO

Obviously, you want to do everything possible to keep your senior loved one safe, especially if you provide caregiving assistance on a regular basis. You may, understandably, have concerns right now about being able to do this because of the coronavirus pandemic. Still, there are ways you can mitigate the risks associated with this new virus for your loved one. Here are five of them.

1. Good Immune System Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronavirus is especially risky for adults 65 and older because of immune system issues related to age. For starters, specialized white blood cells that fight off new invaders don’t function as well, and an older immune system can also be affected by preexisting health problems. Help your loved one strengthen his or her immune system by encouraging:

• A well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet
• Forms of exercise that are appropriate for seniors
• Good sleeping habits
• Weight management and other beneficial lifestyle adjustments

If your loved one needs help following healthy habits that can boost his or her immune system, a home caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of https://homecareassistance.com/covid-19 home care services. Lakewood families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

2. Delivery/Pick-Up Services

Social distancing is recommended as a mitigation method because coronavirus is highly transmittable. You can mitigate the COVID-19 risk for your loved one by encouraging him or her to have as many essentials delivered as possible. With groceries, it can be helpful to look for stores that offer pickup options so your loved one can choose what he or she wants online and pay for it ahead of time. This way, you’ll just have to pick it up for your loved one.

To keep your loved one from having to go out, a home caregiver can run errands for him or her, including shopping for groceries and picking up prescriptions. If your aging loved one needs help managing everyday tasks or encouragement to adopt healthier lifestyle choices, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of senior care. Home Care Assistance provides professional in-home caregivers around the clock to help seniors live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

3. Remote Socialization and Online Engagement

Your loved one can stick to social distancing recommendations to mitigate the risk of coronavirus without becoming socially isolated. Facebook is an especially senior-friendly platform, since many of its communication features are easy to access and use. Smartphones and tablets can be equally useful for communication/engagement purposes. There are also plenty of websites that can help seniors stay engaged. Some of these include:

• AARP’s website
• Pogo—offers games likely to appeal to seniors
• Third Age—focuses on multiple aspects of senior life

4. De-Stressing to Minimize Coronavirus Worries

It’s not good for either you or your loved one to be overly anxious about coronavirus. Excess stress can contribute to a wide range of health issues, from stiff joints and muscles to difficulty concentrating and sleeping. Instead, plan fun, engaging activities your loved one can safely do at home, either alone or with some help from you or another family member. Possibilities include:

• Home-based art/craft projects
• Reading—e-books can be used if going to the library isn’t possible
• Gardening, at-home jewelry making, and other hobbies

5. In-Home Care Services

If you’re a family caregiver and you have a lot of extra responsibilities now, you’re not going to do yourself or your loved one any favors if you’re stressed out or stretched too thin. Assisted living facilities might not be the safest option right now, since the sheer number of people in these facilities increases the risk of coming into contact with someone who is carrying the virus. A safe, cost-effective way to get some extra help for your loved one is in-home care. Coronavirus risk can still be mitigated, since professional care of this nature is conveniently provided in your loved one’s home. 

Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Lakewood, CO, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Home Care Assistance. Using our proprietary Balanced Care Method, our respite caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (303) 987-5992 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.

With information surrounding coronavirus/COVID-19 changing by the hour, it’s challenging to stay updated on the most recent best practices for keeping seniors safe at home. At Home Care Assistance, we understand how critical it is for seniors and their caregivers to protect against coronavirus as much as possible. All our team members have received detailed communication on infection control protocols, including effective cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces and hands. Our caregivers can pick up medications, groceries, and anything else a senior needs, minimizing their interaction with large groups of people. For more information on how Home Care Assistance helps protect clients, click here: https://www.homecareassistancejeffersonco.com/covid-19-home-care/.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG

    Request Free Information or
    Schedule a Free in-Home Consultation