Caring for elderly family members during the COVID-19 pandemic

Those aged 65-years-old and above are more prone to have serious complications from the coronavirus

• Most of the reported COVID-19 deaths are amongst adults aged 65 years or older
• Elders should remain at home and avoid gatherings and crowded areas in order to ensure their safety
• Assign a family member to shop for their necessities such as groceries and medication.
• Family members must take preventive measures like washing their hands to ensure a safe environment for their beloved elders.
• Avoid kissing them (hands, face, etc.)
• Make sure they get adequate sleep and maintain a healthy diet
• Check their health condition daily and check their temperature as it is an early sign of COVID-19.
• Elders should avoid large social gatherings and frequent family visits
• Ensure that they take their medications daily and that they are not missing any prescribed medications.
• Replace unnecessary doctor appointments with virtual doctor consultations when needed. If seeing a doctor is necessary make sure you take all preventive precautions to protect them from the virus.
• Family members should ensure that they don’t get lonely at home and check on them regularly through video calls and social media.
• Water is important for their health so make sure they remain hydrated and consume soups containing vegetables. Also include lentils and chickpeas as they are a good sources for protein.
• Make sure their meals are nutritious and rich in vitamins to strengthen their immunity. For example, Vitamin C can be found in lemons and oranges and Vitamin A can be found in carrots, milk, leafy vegetables and eggs.
• Make sure that their food is well-cooked and easy to eat