Older people are more susceptible to COVID-19. Hence, following necessary coronavirus precautions such washing hands and social distancing can protect seniors from COVID-19.

‘Following necessary coronavirus precautions such washing hands and social distancing can protect seniors from COVID-19. However, watch out, too much social distancing may wreak havoc on older people’s mental health.’
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"Our senior patients need additional measures of care and protection, and COVID-19 only exacerbates those needs," said Dr. Unroe, one of the authors on the paper. "Family care providers need to be aware of the hazards COVID-19 presents to their loved ones and understand how to mitigate them. I hope this information will provide helpful guidance to protect older adults during this crisis."
In the article, Dr. Unroe and her colleagues provide insight into several aspects of how the novel coronavirus is affecting the care of older adults. Read More..





Testing Seniors For COVID-19
Dr. Unroe and her colleagues highlight the need to prioritize testing for older adults even after increased screening capacity is available, due to their increased risk of complications from the disease. They advise health systems to make testing available in settings other than the emergency department whenever possible and to use options such as telecare in the screening process.
Caring for Older Adults
Older adults may be experiencing significant isolation already, and social distancing may worsen complications from seclusion, Dr. Unroe and her team note in the paper. Reduced time with caregivers may also place older adults at risk, due to missed opportunities to catch cognitive or general health decline and unrecognized falls.
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Symptoms
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- A single oral temperature over 100°F, or
- 2 oral repeated temperatures over 99°F or
- An increase in temperature of 2°F over the baseline temperature
"As our understanding of this virus continues to improve," said Dr. Unroe, "we must revise our practices of care, both clinically and residentially, to make sure that our most vulnerable populations are protected."
Source-Eurekalert