Helpful Ideas To Protect Seniors From Houston Coronavirus
Why Are Older People More Vulnerable To Coronavirus?
The reasons behind this are both social and physical. Your immune system tends to weaken as you advance in age, this explains why the elderly are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. In addition, they are more prone to suffering conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease, and this weakens their body’s ability to fight off infectious illnesses.
In most countries, the elderly are more likely to stay in institutionalized settings such as a nursing or retirement home, or they live with their families, where it can be crowded which increases the risk of infection.
The seniors may also suffer isolation or mobility challenges. Therefore, since they are isolated, it becomes hard for them to get information on what to do, some are also unable to get the food that they require in case the store runs out of stock and the situation becomes even more challenging. When it comes to health, the aspect of poverty is very disadvantageous. In many areas, the elderly live in poverty making it hard for them to get the things that they need and to take care of themselves.
Why Is The Mortality Rate Higher For The Elderly?
There exists a direct link between mortality and age. Data indicates that the mortality rate for people between 60 to 69 is 3.6%. For those between 70 to 79, the mortality rate is 8% while for those above 80, it is 15%. In some data, it is as high as 18%. The seniors are more prone to contract acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute lung injury is the leading cause of death. However, it appears that the coronavirus has a higher likelihood of affecting the heart than any other virus of the kind. There are many reports of people who have COVID-19 dying from heart attacks.
One side-effect of the impact of coronavirus on the health care system is that there is a high likelihood of the elderly dying from other causes. In case you are 70 years old and you suffer a heart attack, you are likely to receive substandard care considering that the system is currently overwhelmed. The seniors are hospitalized at a much higher rate than the younger people and on a daily basis. Therefore, with the increased rate of admissions during the pandemic, it will be harder for them to receive the quality care that they deserve.
How Can You Protect Yourself If You Are Aged Above 60 Years Old?
Most of the advice applies to everyone, however, considering the vulnerability of this group, it is more crucial since they are at greater risk. Here are the key points:
Social distancing is a must. Only receive visitors if it is absolutely necessary. If you have to engage with others, ensure that it is only healthy people, and if possible, no children at all since they can be asymptomatic carriers.
Do not leave your home unless it is absolutely necessary, have your neighbors do shopping for you and get your medications.
In case you need to go out, steer clear of large groups, do not hug or even shake hands, maintain a distance of at least three feet from people and try as much as possible to not touch your face. Remember to always wash your hands when you get back home.
Give us a call or contact Assisting Hands Houston today for more pieces of information! Visit our blog for more related articles.
Latest posts by garrettl (see all)
- Superfoods for Seniors in Texas: Top Vegetables for a Healthy Diet - December 23, 2023
- Making Health a Priority: Senior Nutrition and Healthy Aging Guide - December 16, 2023
- A Tribute to Caregivers In Texas: Understanding Their Role and Showing Gratitude - December 9, 2023
