Senior citizens are vulnerable to Covid-19 and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) along with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Department of Geriatric Medicine, AIIMS Delhi has prepared an advisory to be followed by all the senior citizens and their caregivers
As coronavirus scare rises globally it is essential that seniors and their caregivers take extra caution. The Government of India’s Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Department released an advisory for the protection of senior citizens and their caregivers in the country.
This circular is designed especially keeping in mind seniors with medical conditions such as:
- Chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, post tuberculous sequelae, interstitial lung disease
- Chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease, such as alcoholic, and viral hepatitis
- Chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease,stroke
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cancer
Based on the Census 2011 age-cohort data, it is projected that there would be approximately 16 Crore Senior citizens (aged above 60 yrs.) in the Country.
|
Sr Citizens between age group 60-69 yrs.
|
8.8cr |
|
Sr Citizens between age group 70-79 yrs.
|
6.4cr |
| Assisted elders (above 80 years or people who require medical assistance)
|
2.8cr |
|
Indigent elders (destitute who are homeless or deserted by the families)
|
0.18 cr |
Advisory for Mobile Seniors
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| ·        Stay within the house all the time
·        Avoid having visitors at home
·        If meeting is essential, maintain a distance of 1 meter
·        If living alone, one can consider depending on healthy neighbors for acquiring essentials for home
·        Avoid small and large gatherings at all cost
·        Remain actively mobile within the house
·        consider doing light exercise and yoga at home
·        Maintain hygiene by washing hands. Especially before having meals and after using the washroom. This can be done by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
·        Clean frequently touched objects such asspectacles
·        Sneeze and cough into tissue paper/handkerchief. After coughing or sneezing dispose of the tissue paper in a closed bin/wash your handkerchief and hands
·        Ensure proper nutrition through home cooked fresh hot meals, hydrate frequently and take fresh juices to boost immunity
·        Take your daily prescribed medicines regularly
·        Monitor your health. If you develop fever, cough and/or breathing difficulty or any other health issue, immediately contact nearest health care facility and follow the medical advice
·        Talk to your family members (not staying with you), relatives, friends via call or video conferencing, take help from family members if needed
|
·        Come in close contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of coronavirus disease(fever/ cough/ breathing difficulty)
·        Shake hands or hug your friends and near ones
·        Go to crowded places like parks, markets and religious places
·        Cough or sneeze into your bare hands
·        Touch your eyes, face and nose
·        self-medicate
·        Go to hospital for routine checkup or follow up. As far as possible make tele- consultation with your health care provider
·        Invite family members and friends at home |
Due to Summer, avoid dehydration. Consume an adequate amount of water. (Caution for individuals with pre-existing Heart and Kidney disease)
Advisory for Caregivers of Dependent Seniors
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| ·        Wash your hands before helping the older individual
·        Cover nose and mouth adequately using a tissue or cloth while attending on the senior citizen
·        Clean the surfaces which are frequently used. These include a walking cane, walker, wheel-chair, bedpan etc
·        Assist the older individual and help her/him in washing hands
·        Ensure proper food and water intake by senior citizens
·        Monitor his/her health
|
·        Go near senior citizens if suffering from fever/cough/breathing difficulty
·        Keep senior citizens completely bed-bound
·        Touch the Senior Citizen without washing hands
|
Contact helpline if the older adult has the following symptoms:
- Fever, with or without body ache
- New-onset, continuous cough, shortness of breath
- Unusually poor appetite, inability to feed
Advisory for Seniors on Mental well-being
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| ·        Communicate with relatives at home
·        Communicate with neighbors, provided social distancing is followed, and gathering of people is avoided
·        Provide a peaceful environment
·        Rediscover old hobbies like painting, listening to music,reading
·        Make sure to access and believe only the most reliable sources of information
·        Avoid tobacco, alcohol and other drugs to avoid loneliness or boredom
·        If you have an already existing mental illness, call helpline(08046110007) |
·        Isolate yourself
·        Confine oneself in a room
·        Follow any sensational news or social media posts.
·        Spread or share any unverified news or information further |
Contact helpline in case of;
- Change in mental status,such as excessively drowsy during the day,not responding, speaking inappropriately
- New onset of inability to recognize relative which he/she could do before
As the lockdown has been extended please take care of yourself and your loved ones. Keep in mind to follow the advisory.
We, myself and my wife, are at Valsad, Gujarat. Both the sons are at Kalyan, Maharashtra.
We get milk, vegetables, medicines and groceries delivered at home. D mart is next to our residence.
As such no Complaint and no demand.
Myself doing yoga, hand mudra, exercise for 45 minutes and walking 4 to 5 km daily and blood sugar and BP in control.
Thanks A Lot For Providing Very Very Useful Tips To Seniors Via E Magazine !!! If You Can Provide Proper Data In Mumbai Station Wise (Western & Central ) For Shelter Rooms, Care Takers ,Good NGO Who Helps Seniors In Lots Of Way For Entertainment & Get Together So That Childless ,Single ,& Seniors Whose Childrend R Not Taking Their Care Can Enjoy & Easedup Their Life Pleasantly & Happily Of Remaining Years !!!
Very Good
Keep it up.
Wish you healthy life.
Very very useful informations
Worth following and observing
Thanks
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– Team Seniors Today