As we all continue to practice social distancing, the isolated elder population are likely to have less watchful eyes upon them. Currently, society has placed COVID-19 as the highest risk for all of us. However, when we all entered isolation, many elders went into their homes with already high risks: heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many difficult diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. In an elder, their physical and medical status can change by the hour. Therefore, it is important for family, friends and neighbors to check in or reach out to ask questions. Some suggestions are:
- Do you have enough medicine, personal care supplies and medical supplies?
- Have you taken your medicine today?
- Are your legs swollen?
- Do you have any pain?
- Are you drinking water?
- Do you have enough food?
Unaddressed changes or new health issues not attended to can be as deadly as COVID-19. Please take a few minutes in your day to reach out and prevent the preventable. We are all called to action during these difficult times. This is another way we can do our part.
