COVID-19 Resources for the Elderly and Families

Living through a pandemic presents unprecedented challenges for people of all ages, from children to the elderly. Although kids have shown to be the most resilient as far as physical risks from COVID-19, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t concerns for their physical and emotional well-being. And adults and the elderly can face significant health risks from the virus, especially if there are other health problems already present.

Children

Although children are not part of the high-risk group for serious health problems from COVID-19, it’s still important to monitor them for any signs of illness. Fever, cough, and breathing problems are the most common symptoms of the virus. Most people who catch it seem to experience an illness that is similar to the common cold or the seasonal flu. Encourage kids to practice good hygiene, washing their hands frequently and maintaining social distancing from others outside of your immediate family. It’s also important for kids to stay active, getting regular physical activity outdoors whenever possible. Keep lines of communication open with children, too, watching for signs of anxiety or behavioral changes. If kids show signs of stress, such as disrupted sleep, excessive worry, or difficulty concentrating, they may need extra support to manage the stress of the pandemic.

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Younger Adults: Gen X to Gen Z

Most healthy adults have immune systems that would be able to withstand the stress of being infected by COVID-19. Those younger than 60 on the whole have not become seriously ill from COVID, unless there are other underlying health issues present. Having heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic illnesses can make COVID-19 more serious. But everyone should take precautions to limit exposure to the virus, which includes social distancing, wearing a mask, washing hands, and avoiding travel and crowds. It’s possible for the virus to be transmitted even by asymptomatic individuals, so avoiding people outside of your immediate family is suggested, too.

Elderly

Adults over the age of 60 are more susceptible to serious complications from COVID-19. This is especially true for older adults with underlying health issues such as diabetes, cancer, lung disease, and cardiovascular disease. Older adults should take extra precautions to limit exposure to others. Frequent handwashing, wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, and keeping vaccinations up to date are important measures to avoid becoming sick with the virus. Whenever possible, the elderly should stay at home. Having other family members do the shopping and errand-running is one way to limit exposure to outside germs. If these measures result in isolation and loneliness, older adults can still engage with others by phone or video chat.