How Do You Care for Someone Who Has Covid-19?
The novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 is highly contagious, which makes the idea of a family member contracting the virus a little more unnerving. If your senior does contract Covid-19, there are some things you can do to help her to be comfortable and to reduce the risk that anyone else in the house might get sick, too.
Keep up with Preventing the Spread of Germs
Just because your elderly family member is ill with Covid-19 already, that doesn’t mean that preventing the spread of those germs stops. Your senior should wear a cloth face mask, and everyone in the house should be washing hands still, covering coughs and sneezes, and disinfecting often. Your elderly family member may need to be in a separate part of the house, too, in order to help slow the spread of germs.
Monitor Your Senior’s Symptoms
It’s really important to keep track of your senior’s symptoms and their severity. If her fever is continuing or getting worse, you need to know that. Likewise, more difficulty breathing and new symptoms, such as a blue tinge to her lips or face, can all indicate that her overall condition is worsening. Make sure you’re aware of what to watch for.
Treat the Symptoms as Well as You’re Able
You may feel as if there’s not much you can do for your senior if she’s sick with Covid-19, but there is. Encourage her to stay hydrated and to eat if she’s able, because both can help her to keep her strength up and fuel her immune system. Treating the symptoms themselves with over-the-counter medicines can help. If your senior’s symptoms worsen, you may need to seek medical assistance.
Keep in Touch with Your Senior’s Doctor
As soon as you notice that your senior is ill, make sure you contact her doctor. Her doctor can help you to understand how this is likely to affect her existing health issues and can help you to formulate a plan of action. There may be some specific treatments your senior’s doctor wants you to use for her that could help her unique health situation.
You might find that you need a little extra help if your senior develops Covid-19. Home care providers can help you to keep up with all of the extra things that need to be done in order to help your senior. They’re experienced in managing situations that require avoiding cross contamination and they can help you to ensure that you reduce the risk of illness for the rest of the household, too.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Kannapolis, NC, contact the caring professionals at TenderHearted Home Care today. Call us at (704) 612-4132.
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