Elderly people and risk of intection

Although no direct relationship between elder people and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has been shown, older people suffering from COVID-19 infection are more likely to develop severe complications. This is related to the aging and chronic diseases that this group suffers most often.

In fact, according to the European Society for Geriatric Medicine, the analysis of current data shows that mortality rates in infected patients over the age of 80 are about 15 %; whereas this value decreases to falls to less than 0.5 % in people under the age of 50.

Prevention measures

Elderly people, in particular those who are more fragile and with chronic pathologies (respiratory, heart, kidney, or diabetes, among others), must follow strict preventive measures to minimize the risk of infection. In addition to the usual principles, some guidelines can be followed which reduce a possible infection such as:

• Home confinement. Elderly people, especially those over the age of 80, must be confined to their homes and shy away from the street, except in emergency situations. In the event of symptoms or other medical problems, they should contact their Primary Care Center and follow the guidelines given.
• Restriction of visits and contact. Visits to this group should be reduced to those of their carers or family members who care for them, who look after their daily needs. They should avoid contact with family and friends with symptoms of respiratory infections, as well as with children and adolescents.
• Extreme hygiene measures. Both home cleaning and hygiene measures should be enhanced to prevent contagion or infection. 
• To do physical exercise. It is important that they continue, despite being at home, doing the same or similar physical activity: they can take a walk or do a simple stretching routine indoors to help the body stay active.

Guidelines for caregivers and family members

People or relatives caring for the elderly must maintain a holistic view of the needs of this group. Also, being in constant physical and social contact with the people in charge, they must enhance some of the measures to avoid being a transmission vehicle. Thus, they must be concise in hygiene, especially of the hands, using soap and water or antiseptic solutions, and drying with disposable wipes.

It is also important not to neglect communication. Despite confinement at home and the restriction of visits to the elderly, it is important that socialization is not lost and that the community can be isolated. For this reason, it is advisable to promote non-face-to-face communication channels, such as telephone, video conferencing, WhatsApp or social networks.

In the event that the caregiver has any symptoms related to COVID-19 (cough, fever or general malaise), it is advisable to delegate to another caregiver or family member their responsibilities to prevent infection and consult with the specialist.

In critical times such as these, people can suffer from stress and anxiety due to the powerlessness and/or frustration they feel as a result of the situation. All of this can wreak havoc on very important physiological variables, such as rest and sleep. Following a series of guidelines and measures every day can help avoid this.

How can we apply this to the current situation caused by COVID-19?

Sleeping is essential for many of our body’s physical and mental functions. A good sleep pattern helps us handle stress triggers better, reduces the chances of suffering from ongoing sleep problems, and strengthens our immune system, which is what our body uses to fight off diseases.

Sleep is a complex biological process that helps us assimilate new information, stay healthy, and feel well-rested and strong. But what does “sleeping well” mean, exactly?

• It means sleeping as many hours as required for our age. 
• It also means going through all the different sleep phases during our slumber.

Therefore, when we talk about sleeping well, we mean both an adequate quantity of hours and a good quality of sleep.

Advice for sleeping well

• Establish daily routines.
• Establish a regular time to go to bed and wake up, that coincide with day and night hours.
• Do some kind of moderate physical activity, adapted to your age and the current conditions.
• Avoid eating large portions and heavy foods for dinner.
• If possible, use the bed only for sleeping.
• Do not consume alcohol or other stimulants before going to bed.
• Avoid using screens and mobile devices before going to bed.
• Avoid long naps during the day. It’s best for them not to be longer than 30 minutes.
• Learn relaxation exercises and practice them during the day and before going to bed.

 The protective measures to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are the same as in any respiratory ailment:

• Wash your hands frequently. It is necessary to maintain proper hygiene of the hands, cleaning them with soap and water or 70 % alcoholic solutions. Especially if you have been in contact with people who suffer from this condition or in their environment. In this way, we eliminate the virus from the limb.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. It is important to adopt respiratory hygiene measures. That is, when coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with tissues or with the inside of your elbow. Immediately after, you have to wash your hands following the instructions in the previous section. This prevents the spread of germs and viruses, and contaminates the objects you touch or the people around you.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus occurs when the respiratory secretions that are generated with the cough or sneeze of an infected person are exhaled by a healthy person or when they fall on an object or surface that the person subsequently touches and then, without disinfecting your hands, you touch your eyes, nose or mouth. That is why it is important to touch these areas after proper hand hygiene.
• It is essential to avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections and coughing, sneezing or expectoration. You have to keep a distance of two meters and not share personal belongings.
• It is essential not to share objects such as cutlery, glasses or napkins; food or other objects without cleaning them properly.
• If you have symptoms of malaise, cough, fever and difficulty breathing, call 061 and follow their instructions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 as an international public health crisis, therefore it is advisable to avoid trips that are not strictly necessary to the areas affected by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

On the one hand, if you have an unavoidable trip to one of these areas, it is advisable to follow the general measures indicated above to reduce the risk of infection and, in addition:

• Do not approach live or dead domestic or wild animals and their secretions or droppings in markets or farms.
• Do not consume products of animal origin (meat or undercooked or raw food).
• In the case of elderly people or those with health problems, who may be at risk of serious illness, they must evaluate the trip together with a healthcare professional at an international vaccination center.

On the other hand, if it is a person who has returned from an affected area, you have to follow the following recommendations:

• If the person is well, they can continue with their social, work and educational life; but has to monitor the health status during the 14 days following your arrival. In case of general malaise, cough, fever or feeling of shortness of breath, call 061 and follow the indications. Remember to report not only the symptoms you have, but also the area you have visited.
• If, when returning from the trip, the person has the symptoms indicated above, has to call 061 to assess how to act and the instructions to follow.