• Wear a mask or a face covering
• Wash your hands often
• Keep a safe distance (6 feet apart)

The corona virus pandemic has taken the entire world by storm. The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the global population in drastic ways. Senior citizens are the ones who are facing the most threats and challenges in the present scenario. Research reveals the fact that adults 60 and older, are more likely to have severe corona virus infection than other age groups. They are at greater risk of developing severe illness and health complications provided they are exposed to this dreadful virus. The reason behind this vulnerability can be the physiological changes that comes along with ageing or preexisting medical conditions, especially heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or cancer.
Senior Citizens are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to their decreased immunity and body reserves. Also, studies show that course of disease tends to be more severe in case of elderly resulting in higher incidence of mortality.

However, COVID-19 transmission among elderly population can be reduced by taking following measures:

DO’s

1. Stay at home. Avoid meeting visitors at home. If meeting is essential, maintain a distance of one meter.
2. Wash your hands and face at regular intervals with soap and water.
3. Sneeze and cough either into your elbow or into tissue paper / handkerchief. After coughing or sneezing, please dispose the tissue paper/ wash your handkerchief.Ensure proper nutrition through home cooked fresh meals, hydrate frequently and take fresh juices to boost immunity.
4. Exercise and meditate. Take care of your mental health as well.
5. Take your daily prescribed medicines regularly. Make sure you have emergency supplies such as mask,medicines, sanitizers in stock.
6. Talk to your family members (not staying with you), relatives, and friends via call or video conferencing, take help from family members if needed.
7. Postpone your elective surgeries (if any) like cataract surgery or total knee replacement.
8. Clean the frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant regularly such as door knobs, tables, chairs, light switches.
9. Monitor your health. If you develop fever, cough and/or breathing difficulty, contact nearest health care facility immediately and follow the medical advice rendered.

DON’Ts

1. Do not cough or sneeze into your bare hands or without covering your face.
2. Don’t go near your contacts if you are suffering from fever and cough.
3. Don’t touch your eyes, face, nose and tongue often.
4. Don’t go near affected/ sick people.
5. Don’t self-medicate.
6. Don’t shake hands or hug your friends and near ones.
7. Do not go to hospital for routine checkup or follow up. As far as possible make a tele consultation with your healthcare provider.
8. Don’t go to crowded places like parks, markets and religious places.
9. Don’t go out unless it is absolutely essential.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. There might be asymptomatic cases as well, where symptoms may not appear but the person is likely to spread the virus.

~Fever symptoms in Senior Citizens

In older adults (aged 65 and older), normal body temperature can be lower than in younger adults. For this reason, fever temperatures can also be lower in older adults.
If you are caring for a Senior Citizen aged 65 or older, be aware of the following signs. A single or a multiple reading higher than 100°F (37.8°C), or a rise in temperature greater than 2°F (1.1°C) above the patient’s normal (baseline) temperature may be a sign of infection.~Major Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in case of sickness in Senior Citizens.

First important step is to stay at home, venture out only if a medical care is needed.

Stay home:-Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.

Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.

Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.

Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Separate yourself from other people. As far as possible, try to stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home.

If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a face covering.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your underlying medical conditions or if you get sick or think that you may have COVID-19 or you are confused and can’t exactly define how you feel.