3 Tips for Seniors to Stay Healthy During COVID-19

At the Mission at Agua Fria, keeping seniors healthy is a top priority, and with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more important. With seniors being among the most at-risk demographic, certain measures have needed to be put in place to ensure the safety of ourselves and our loved ones. Though it’s difficult to know what to do during this time, there are ways to increase your chances of avoiding this illness. Here are a few tips to help seniors remain healthy during these trying times.

1. Stay Connected

When you’re living at a senior care community such as the Mission at Agua Fria, you will have to make some adjustments to your lifestyle because of COVID-19. Things that were typical, like eating with other residents in a dining hall or having frequent visits from friends and family, have been less frequent. Still, just because you can’t do things as you normally do doesn’t mean you have to be disconnected from the people you love.

Staying connected to loved ones is good for your mental health and should be a priority during this time. Social isolation can lead to depression and loneliness if you aren’t proactive. Though you may not be able to physically touch them, you can stay connected to friends and family by reaching out via telephone or email. A phone call or email exchange can provide you the ability to vent, as well as stay up-to-date on the happenings of the people you care about.

2. Practice Social Distancing

Maintaining proper social distancing between you and others is a great way to remain healthy. As COVID-19 is easily passed from person to person, staying at least six feet away from others can help keep you from contracting the illness or spreading it. When you’re living in a senior community, the staff and regulations in place can help ensure that social distancing is always practiced, but it becomes harder for seniors who live on their own.

If you’re a senior who isn’t living in a senior community, try to limit the number of times you leave your home per day. Having a family member or delivery service deliver your groceries to your home is a great way to avoid the large crowds at the grocery store. Avoid attending large events for the time being, and if you do have to be in public, be sure to wear your mask.

3. Wash Your Hands Often

It’s common for people to touch their nose, mouth, and eyes throughout the day. We do these things without thinking about it, and it can be hard to stop, despite your best intentions. For this reason, it’s helpful to wash your hands more often than you normally would.

It may seem simple, but washing your hands more often can help you to rid your hands of germs before they enter your body. Touching places like your eyes, nose, or mouth is an easy way to give germs access to your body, as well as make seniors more susceptible to catching COVID-19. Wash your hands after touching common objects like doorknobs or items out in public. If you’re unable to wash your hands, you can use hand sanitizer to hold you over until you have access to a handwashing station.