Infectious Disease / By Aval Green / December 7, 2020
Since March, when the World Health
Organization declared that the novel coronavirus was widespread enough to be
considered a global pandemic, every facet of life as we know it has been
impacted. But not all are affected equally.
Very early on in the pandemic, it became clear
that elderly people are disproportionately predisposed to severe illness,
hospitalization and death related to COVID-19. As a geriatrician, a physician
who specializes in the care of older adults, I am on a mission to protect the
frailest among us.
In many ways, the well-being of our elders is in our hands — it is
up to each of us to observe physical distancing, avoid mass gatherings, wear
face masks and perform meticulous hand hygiene.
But beyond that, what can the elderly do to
protect themselves? How can we help our older relatives and friends weather a
winter framed with both influenza and COVID-19? Let’s find out!
Accessibility to
technology
The single most important pandemic planning
tool for older Americans is technological connectivity. I urge caregivers and
family members of elderly people to invest time and resources in devices and
internet services.
Technological connectivity is the key to being
able to meet basic medical and social needs while limiting in-person contact
and potential exposure to coronavirus. Below are a few basics to keep in mind.
·
Devices: I recommend
tablets with large displays that are easy to use for those who may have visual
impairment or problems with dexterity.
·
Downloading apps:
Caregivers should download apps that allow for the easy ordering of
prescription refills, food delivery and telehealth resources. MyBSWHealth offers
virtual options for both routine and urgent care through eVisits and video
visits, and is available via the app or mobile site.
·
Teaching: Many elders need
support for using these apps and devices but once they learn how, the use of
technology creates many opportunities for resources they otherwise would not
have access to. Take the time to teach them or make sure they have access to
someone else who can.
Maintaining social
connections
While technological connectivity may seem like
a luxury, it really has become a necessity, not only for things like food and
prescriptions, but also for facilitating human connection. Many elderly people
are even more isolated than normal with fewer family and friends able to visit
because of concerns about spreading the COVID-19 virus. This lack of social
connection can have a significant impact on both their mental and physical
health.
To help maintain social connections with
friends and family, caregivers should also make sure elders have access to and
know how to use social apps such as Skype, Zoom and FaceTime.
These platforms create opportunities to
connect with the people we love in real time and face-to-face. It is important
to remember that elders with hearing impairment may benefit from ear buds or
headphones to facilitate good audio reception.
Taking care of basic
needs
As temperatures begin to drop, food and
utility insecurity becomes a concern. Many elderly people are living on fixed
incomes and may have trouble covering the cost of their most basic needs. As a
loved one or caregiver, you can help by directing them to resources such as the
following:
·
Community care
navigators: At Baylor Scott & White, community care navigators work
year-round to help patients, including underinsured or uninsured elders, gain
access to quality healthcare services after leaving the hospital. Learn more
about this community outreach program here.
·
The Texas Health and
Human Services Commission also sponsors a program called 2-1-1
Texas, which is a 24/7 hotline available to connect callers to
resources ranging from food pantries to utility assistance to housing
assistance.
·
Most utility companies
offer a letter of medical necessity for people who have lifesaving medical
devices that require electricity (such as oxygen concentrators). These forms
can be completed by a physician and submitted to the utility company to prevent
interruption of service for non-payment.
·
AGE
of Central Texas is an agency that focuses on helping elderly
people thrive in the central Texas community. An example of one such outreach
is the Health Equipment Lending Program, which offers seniors access to
gently used durable medical equipment and donated incontinence supplies.
These are just a few of the programs available
to help seniors, but here may be others available in your loved one’s area.
These programs are particularly important as we brace for a winter with
potential synergies between the COVID-19 pandemic and the seasonal flu.
Staying home and
staying safe
Seniors are safest if they stay home with the
technological support to access the resources they need, including meals,
prescriptions and healthcare — as well as social connection with family and
friends. I also recommend that seniors ask their primary healthcare provider if
they qualify for home health, as this adds another layer of support.
For those who have difficulty getting to
doctor’s appointments because of their medical condition, the Baylor Scott
& White Geriatric Medicine team offers house calls to
homebound elderly patients. This service is available by self-referral and is
covered by most health insurance plans.
Last but not least, seniors should be sure
to get the flu shot and pneumonia vaccine if they are
not already up to date.
Being away from our parents, grandparents and
elderly loved ones during this pandemic is not easy. Many of us are worried
about the seniors in our lives and wondering what we can do to help keep them
safe and ease the effects of the pandemic.
The tips above are just a few ways you can
help, but your loved ones may have additional specific health needs or
concerns. Help them keep up with any routine appointments and medications for
chronic conditions and keep in touch regularly to check in on their well-being.
Above all, take the time to make sure the
elderly people in your life feel connected, supported and loved, even if from a
distance.
For more information on staying well during
the COVID-19 pandemic, visit BSWHealth.com.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Aval Green: Dr. Aval Green, MD, is a geriatric medicine
physician on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center –
Temple.
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