| As the staff at Senior Lifestyle Solutions continue to monitor the global spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we want to share with you as much pertinent information as possible. We have included some basic precautions for protecting yourself and for protecting others, symptoms and warning signs of COVID-19, and ways to support your older adults. At the very end are two great resources for COVID-19 information. Please take the time to read through the information presented here. We are also in communication with the facilities in which some of our clients reside. We will alert you of any restrictions to those facilities. You can always reach out to the office with any questions or concerns you may have. Sincerely, The SLS Staff How concerned should you be about the coronavirus? While the fatality rate for COVID-19 appears relatively low compared to other viruses such as Ebola that have caused scares in recent years, it’s significantly higher for at-risk populations including elderly people. The coronavirus is almost twice as infectious as the flu. Part of this may be due to the fact that individuals infected with the coronavirus can be contagious before symptoms become visible. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (6 feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Take steps to protect yourself Clean Your Hands Often Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Clean and Disinfect Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection. Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection. Practice a routine of cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, faucets, toilets, remotes, desks, keyboards, phones) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Avoid Close Contact Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Put distance between yourself and others if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between. Avoid all non-essential travel, including plane trips and cruise ships. Take Steps to Protect Others Cover Coughs and Sneezes Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Wear a Face Mask if You Are Sick If you become sick you should wear a face mask when you are around other people. They should also wear a face mask when they are around you. Stay Home if You Are Sick The best way to protect others if you become sick is to stay home, with the exception of receiving medical care. Symptoms and Emergency Warning Signs Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, sore throat, fever, cough, and shortness of breath . If these symptoms develop, call a doctor. If emergency warning signs develop for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs include: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion or inability to arouse Bluish lips or face How You Can Support Your Client Know what medications your client is taking and contact the family about helping them have extra on hand. Monitor food and other medical supplies (oxygen, incontinence, wound care) needed and contact the office about a back-up plan. Contact the office about stocking up on non-perishable food items to have on hand in order to minimize trips to the store. Additional Information & Resources There is a vast amount of information available through The Centers Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html In the Know has created a 30 minute caregiver training course on Understanding Coronavirus. The file is below. ITK Coronavirus For the Learner.pdf Download File |
As the staff at Senior Lifestyle Solutions continue to monitor the global spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, we want to share with you as much pertinent information as possible. We have included some basic precautions for protecting yourself and for protecting others, symptoms and warning signs of COVID-19, and ways to support your older adults. At the very end are two great resources for COVID-19 information. Please take the time to read through the information presented here. We are also in communication with the facilities in which some of our clients reside. We will alert you of any restrictions to those facilities. You can always reach out to the office with any questions or concerns you may have.
Sincerely, The SLS Staff
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How concerned should you be about the coronavirus? | |
While the fatality rate for COVID-19 appears relatively low compared to other viruses such as Ebola that have caused scares in recent years, it’s significantly higher for at-risk populations including elderly people. The coronavirus is almost twice as infectious as the flu. Part of this may be due to the fact that individuals infected with the coronavirus can be contagious before symptoms become visible.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (6 feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
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Take steps to protect yourself | |
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Clean Your Hands Often
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
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Clean and Disinfect
Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. It does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
| |
|
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|
Practice a routine of cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces (e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, faucets, toilets, remotes, desks, keyboards, phones) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. | |
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Avoid Close Contact
Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Put distance between yourself and others if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between. Avoid all non-essential travel, including plane trips and cruise ships.
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Take Steps to Protect Others | |
Cover Coughs and Sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
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Wear a Face Mask if You Are Sick
If you become sick you should wear a face mask when you are around other people. They should also wear a face mask when they are around you.
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Stay Home if You Are Sick
The best way to protect others if you become sick is to stay home, with the exception of receiving medical care.
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Symptoms and Emergency Warning Signs | |
Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, sore throat, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If these symptoms develop, call a doctor.
If emergency warning signs develop for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face
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How You Can Support Your Client | |
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Know what medications your client is taking and contact the family about helping them have extra on hand. | |
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Monitor food and other medical supplies (oxygen, incontinence, wound care) needed and contact the office about a back-up plan.
| |
| | |
|
|
Contact the office about stocking up on non-perishable food items to have on hand in order to minimize trips to the store.
| |
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|
Additional Information & Resources | |
There is a vast amount of information available through The Centers Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
In the Know has created a 30 minute caregiver training course on Understanding Coronavirus. The file is below.
| |
| ITK Coronavirus For the Learner.pdf | |
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