4 Ways to Keep Your Aging Parents Safe During Covid

Living through something like COVID-19 is scary, especially for seniors who might not be as healthy as they could be. That’s why you need to take precautions to ensure your parents stay healthy throughout this pandemic. This could include everything from helping them practice good hygiene to finding them great healthcare coverage. Here are four ways to keep your aging parents safe during COVID-19.

1. Make Sure They Wear a Mask and Practice Good Hygiene

Whenever your parents go out in public, make sure they have and wear a cloth mask (as recommended by the CDC) and practice social distancing (which means keeping six feet apart from others). Doing so reduces the risk of getting COVID-19 from someone else or spreading it if they’ve contracted it. It’s also best to use hand sanitizer, when there’s no soap and water readily available – you can buy a medical grade one at 72hours. Practicing good hygiene overall is the best way to combat COVID-19, so make sure your parents understand that so they can stay safe and protected during these uncertain times.

2. Help Them Enroll in Medicare

Enrolling your parents in Medicare is another way to help them stay healthy during this pandemic. Some seniors don’t know when they’re eligible to enroll, so learn about applying for Medicare so you can help your parents get the coverage they need and ensure they’re protected in the event of an emergency. They’ll also be able to take advantage of benefits that come along with it and avoid any potential penalties. Once enrolled, make sure they’re getting regular checkups and that they’re able to get to the doctor right away if they start to develop symptoms. Check on them as often as you can so you can ensure they remain in good health. 

3. Keep Them at Home as Much as Possible

If your parents don’t need to go out in public, it’s best to ensure they stay home as much as possible. Of course, they’ll likely have to go to the grocery store, the pharmacy, and doctor’s appointments, but other than that, they should avoid going anywhere that’s crowded. Help them stock up on supplies like food and medicine as much as possible so they don’t have to go out too frequently. The fewer people they come into contact with, the lower their chances of getting infected with COVID-19. So find ways to help them stay at home, even if you have to go to the store or pharmacy for them.

4. Keep Your Home Clean

In addition to practicing good hygiene, make sure your parents are keeping a clean home. If you have to, help them clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces every day, which includes:

• Light switches
• Doorknobs
• Phones
• Computers
• Handles
• Toilets
• Sinks
• Faucets
• Keyboards
• Countertops

Get the supplies you need to help them keep a clean home, such as disinfecting wipes or spray, gloves, and whatever else you like to use to clean.

Keeping Your Parents in Good Health

When it comes to staying safe during COVID-19, there’s plenty you can do to ensure your parents are protected. Following the WHO and CDC recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can help your parents stay in good health, which includes wearing a mask in public, practicing social distancing, keeping a clean home, and staying at home as much as possible. Enrolling in Medicare and getting sufficient coverage can also help them stay in good health with preventative care. Help your parents with all of the above if you want to help keep them safe and healthy.