Alexis Compassionate Care

Caregiving During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The recent pandemic has brought changes that can be felt all over the world. People are now more careful about planning outings, leaving the house is now only done for essential purposes, and work has mostly been shifted to work-from-home arrangements. But for other fields of work where face-to-face interaction is still necessary, adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic has become harder. That is the issue for caregivers in Calabasas and all over the world. After all, they can’t take care of their patients from a distance.

For caregivers in Calabasas, the work has just become more challenging as we all know that older people are more at risk of contracting COVID-19. That’s just taking their age into account. For seniors who have underlying health issues, the risks are even greater. Once the virus is contracted, they are more likely to be hospitalized and receive intensive care. And the harsh reality is that once infected, they are the ones with higher mortality rates. That’s why for caregivers, they have to work extra hard to protect the seniors under their care.

So how have they adapted to the changes the pandemic has wrought?

Knowing the higher risks that seniors have, the CDC has provided some guidelines to caregivers of adults with dementia, but this can also be applied to caregiving for adults in general. This serves as a guide to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as a guide to help manage the patient and the caregiver’s mental wellbeing. After all, this is bound to be a trying and stressful situation.

First things first, look out for symptoms of COVID-19. For seniors with dementia, these are the symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Increased agitation
  • Increased confusion
  • Sudden sadness
  • Muscle pain
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell

Now, if you notice these signs from your patient and he or she needs to be hospitalized, these are some of the things you can do to prepare:

  • Notify the hospital staff that your in-person assistance may be required to effectively communicate important health information.
  • Prepare yourself for being in a healthcare setting with your patient by using personal protective equipment, especially if you are going to be staying in the room with your patient.
  • Prepare yourself for any difficulties such as your patient not wanting to cooperate with healthcare and using personal protective equipment. They may also refuse diagnostic procedures.

As a caregiver, these things can sometimes take a toll on your physical and mental wellbeing. That is why you should also take time to take care of yourself and do the following:

  • Take care of yourself by eating healthy meals, maintaining a regular sleep routine, and getting enough exercise whenever possible.
  • Watch out for signs of burnout as the risk of it occurring is higher in times of increased stress. If you are experiencing hopelessness, overwhelming anxiety, sleep problems, and difficulty with everyday tasks, consider taking a break.
  • Always find opportunities to relax during spare moments. Do something you like such as reading, listening to music, or working on a hobby.
  • Stay connected to your friends and family.

Remember that as a caregiver, you need to take care of yourself first before taking care of someone else. That way, you can be sure that your patient is receiving the best care. Now, if you are looking for a facility for elderly care in Calabasas, contact us at Alexis Compassionate Care Home Care. You may reach us by calling 800-418-8576 or 818-728-9878.

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