Google and the World Health Organization worked together on a public service announcement called “Do The Five.” This is a simple way for everyone, but especially your senior family member, to know what they can do to help to slow down the spread of the coronavirus.
Hands
The first of the five tips is to wash your hands. The Centers for Disease Control has detailed information about when and how to wash your hands, which can be incredibly helpful to review with your senior. One of the most important things to remember is that simple soap and warm water can remove a variety of germs, but especially the ones that cause the coronavirus. It’s recommended to spend at least 30 seconds washing hands.
Elbows
“Elbows” is a reminder to cover your mouth when you cough, ideally into your elbow. Sneezes are also something to direct into your elbow. There are several reasons for this. First, you always want to cover your mouth or nose when you sneeze or cough to prevent sending any germs out into the area around you. Second, directing those germs toward your elbow ensures that they’re not on your hands, which can then spread germs onto whatever you touch next. This habit also helps to keep you from touching your face, which can keep you from introducing germs you’ve picked up into your system.
Face
People touch their own faces a lot more than they realize. It’s really important to keep germs from entering your system and the most common way that you pick them up is to touch something that has germs on it. When you then touch your face, especially around your nose, mouth, or eyes, you’re going to send those germs straight into your system.
Feet
“Feet” is a reminder to maintain social distance in public. Staying three or more feet away from other people, farther if possible, is a great way to keep from picking up any germs that other people may have been exposed to themselves. Many more people are staying home as a way to maintain as much social distance as possible.
Feel
“Feel” is a reminder that if people are feeling sick, they should stay home. In your senior’s case, it might also be a good idea to contact her doctor and see what recommendations they have for her. They may want to see her in order to help determine what sort of illness she’s dealing with right now.
This can be a really stressful time, both for you as your senior’s caregiver and for her. Having elderly care providers to lean on and to help with errands may be exactly the solution that she needs.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering elderly care in Denver, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare today. Call us at (303) 756-9322.
