The new normal for seniors and their families. How do we continue to keep seniors safe?
Ontario has entered Stage 2 of the COVID-19 re-opening plan. Hairdressers, beaches, patios, parks, malls, day camps, and swimming pools have all begun to open. The limit on social gatherings has been increased to 10 people. People can have weddings and funerals with 50 people. The new rules say that people can finally be close, hug, and have indoor dinner parties with people in their social bubbles. Everyone is beyond excited to finally start getting some normalcy back.
While this is all very exciting, the consequences are yet to be known. Will this freedom come at a price? Will there be a resurgence? When will the second wave hit? What can we do to keep protecting seniors in their homes, community, and retirement homes? Seniors are still the most vulnerable demographic in our society so we must continue to do whatever it takes to protect their health.
Health-care workers make up nearly a quarter of all confirmed COVID-19 cases, with seniors accounting for 38% of confirmed cases. All long-term care (LTC) homes and retirement homes have followed the Ministry of Health’s guidelines on restricting visitors and limit the areas where caregivers work. In London, the infection rate has remained low at LTC homes with cases, while many homes avoided outbreaks completely. Long-term care homes will continue to enforce strict visitor policies to keep seniors safe.
We have put together a list of practices that will continue to keep all of us and our loved ones safe:
Wash hands frequently and thoroughly.
Sanitize, sanitize, sanitize!! Sanitize surfaces after a guest has left.
Universal masking for anyone visiting seniors. Keep your mask on for your entire visit. Once you put your mask on, do not touch it again until you remove it. Wash your hands (or use sanitizer) before you put the mask on and after you remove the mask.
Wash your reusable fabric mask after each use with soap and hot water.
Physical distancing is still very important.
Limit seniors’ exposure to the community. Encourage the use of technology like FaceTime or Zoom to meet virtually with loved ones.
When you know you will regularly visit a senior, make sure you are keeping your potential exposure to a minimum.
If you believe you have been exposed, or are experiencing symptoms, get a test at your local hospital or testing centre.