Elderly are particularly vulnerable to novel coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 has been found to have been more fatal among elderly people with existing health problems such as those related to lungs, heart, kidney or if they have diabetes or have had cancer and HIV infection.
The Government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have identified elderly people as especially vulnerable to the novel corona virus outbreak. Prevention is better than the cure, they say. And, prevention against the virus comes from insulation. One must not get exposed.
In India, celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, who is 77, can be the ideal example to look up to and learn from on how to interact over social media. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also very active on social media. He is 69. In his address to the nation on Thursday evening, Modi emphasised the need to minimise mobility of people particularly those above 60. Apart from following the general guidelines on regularly washing hands, avoiding crowds, and practicing social distancing, it is very important that the elderly think twice about having friends and family members visit them, especially if anyone in the family might be sick.
Caregivers should practice extra precaution themselves and the family should have a backup plan to care for their loved one in case the caregiver gets sick. Planning also helps reduce panic and anxiety, so communicate a care plan among family members. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is essential not only for physical health, but also for mental health, particularly when we are spending so much time at home. Ensuring older people have the food and prescriptions they need is important – but so too is caring for their mental health.
Social connections are so important and this is a time where long-term facilities may be restricting visitors due to the risk of infection. But there are other ways of staying in touch. This is a time where we may go back to the old-fashioned ways of communication. This means making telephone calls more frequently. Social media also plays a vital role. Don’t forget, there’s video conferencing available to use and sharing of photographs through social media; so you can stay in touch and not feel isolated or disconnected. Stay home stay safe.
(Dr Senapati is Dean Faculty of Computer Application & Science, BPUT, National Executive Council Member, ISTE, New Delhi, Professor & HOD Chemistry, Trident Academy of Technology, Bhubaneswar)