Elderly Care In The New Normal

Dr Titty Mary Thomas, Specialist Family Medicine, Aster Clinic - JLT

Even though the lockdown has been lifted, the elderly should continue to follow precautions of self-isolation at home, wearing masks, avoiding exposure to those who cough or sneeze, and regularly wash their hands. They need to maintain physical distancing especially with the youth who may be stepping outdoors.

DO’S

• Stay at home and avoid meeting visitors at home. If a meeting is essential, maintain a distance of two meter between each other.
• Wash your hands and face at regular intervals with soap and water
• Sneeze and cough either into your elbow or into tissue paper/handkerchief. After coughing or sneezing dispose of the tissue paper/wash your handkerchief.

Source: https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/do-you-use-your-hands-to-cover-a-cough-or-sneeze-youre-doing-it-all-wrong-20170908-gydem6.html

• Ensure intake of adequate nutrition through home-cooked meals, stay hydrated and maintain immunity by drinking fresh juices 
• Exercise and meditate
• Take your prescribed medicines regularly and as advised
• Stay connected to your family members, relatives and friends who do not stay with you, via call or video conferencing, take help from family members if needed.
• Postpone elective surgeries (if any) like cataract surgery or total knee replacement till after the pandemic has subsided
• Clean frequently touched surfaces with disinfectants regularly
• Monitor your health. If you develop a fever, cough and/or breathing difficulty immediately contact the nearest health care facility and follow the medical advice rendered.

DONT’S

• Do not cough or sneeze into your bare hands or without covering your face
• Do not go near your family members or other people in the house if you are suffering from fever and cough
• Avoid touching your eyes, face, nose and tongue
• Stay away from infected or sick people
• Do not self-medicate
• Do not shake hands or hug your friends and near ones
• Do not go to the hospital for routine checkup or follow up. Try tele-consulting with your doctor before visiting a hospital or clinic.
• Avoid going to crowded places like parks, markets and religious places
• Do not go out unless it is absolutely essential

In order to consult with a doctor, you may avail Aster’s tele-consultation services by booking an appointment at booking an appointment at Aster Hospital or by booking an appointment at Aster Clinic