by Danielle Hassel, CNA
Caregiver Lead for Assisting Hands Rockford
We feel it is important to share these resources so you can protect your loved ones. There are 5 steps to keep your elderly safe, caregivers & their families during the “triple threat” upon us this winter season. Triple Threat?!? Yes! We have persevered through the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic as a community. Now, let us all forge together to fight the rest of this Cold & Flu, COVID-19 and RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) season to protect the vulnerable, elderly population. Below is a very informative graphic that compares signs and symptoms of each communicable disease impacting our communities currently:
| Symptoms | Cold | Flu | Covid-19 | R.S.V. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Often | Often | Often | Often | |
| Rarely | Rarely | Often | Sometimes | |
| Sometimes | Often | Often | Rarely | |
| Rarely | Often | Sometimes | Sometimes | |
| Sometimes | Often | Often | Sometimes | |
| Sometimes | Often | Sometimes | Rarely | |
| Rarely | Rarely | Sometimes | Rarely | |
| Often | Sometimes | Sometimes | Often | |
| Often | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | |
| Often | Sometimes | Often | Rarely | |
| Rarely | Sometimes | Sometimes | Rarely | |
| Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Often |
*A stuffy nose may temporarily decrease the ability to taste or smell but it does not cause a sudden, complete loss of these senses.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(Infographic found in The New York Times article here: <https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/13/well/covid-flu-rsv-symptoms.html>)
Protect your elderly and loved ones!
There are 5 steps to keep your elder safe:
1. Handwashing is above all the number one way to preventing the spread of germs and other infectious agents of disease. Recommendations are set forth that one washes their hands:
- For a minimum of 20 secs. in warm/hot water (comfortable for persons skin to tolerate)
- Use of a hand soap with antibacterial properties is highly suggested
- Drying the hands after washing with a clean towel or paper towel is also suggested
- Please do not forget to to wash between your fingers and under your fingernails
2. Disinfect surfaces – counters, handles, bathrooms
3. Check for symptoms
4. Distance when possible
5. Wear a mask regularly
Don’t forget to was your Elder’s Hands Too
If soap and water are not readily available to you the use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also okay. Additionally, it is advisable that if your hands are visibly soiled (from food, dirt, fecal matter or blood) that you wash your hands ASAP with soap instead of hand sanitizer. When you are caring for elderly, don’t forget that they too need to wash their hands. Often times, caregivers will wash their own hands and forget to was their elders. Please remember that it is very important that they wash their hands to prevent the spread of viruses. If you would like more information on how you can keep your elders safe in their home this winter feel free to give us a call, Assisting Hands Rockford at (815) 884-CARE or click here to message us https://assistinghands.com/100/illinois/rockford/contact-us/. Our team can discuss a care plan with you for in-home care for your elderly loved one. We care deeply about our seniors and their well-being. Also, don’t forget to ask us about how we can help with Veteran Care for Elder and those with disabilities.
Lastly, we’d like to provide you with 2 resources to obtain FREE COVID-19 testing:
IDPH & Project ACT are partnering to assist over 200,000 households in staying proactive during the increase of COVID-19 cases across Illinois counties. Here is a link to order FREE at-home test kits through Project ACT: <https://accesscovidtests.org/?mc_cid=0357180e76&mc_eid=764de28299>. These will be delivered to your home & can be self-administered easily.
IDPH also has a Testing Sites Locator (https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/testing.html) that will allow us all to find a location nearest for FREE COVID-19 testing.
