October 3, 2020 Issue, Page 10 of 10

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Page 10 The Elk City News, Elk City, Oklahoma Saturday, October 3, 2020 Tips for dementia caregivers during the pandemic toms can be found at www.cde. frequently throughout the day. become the new normal as ment can lift patients’ spirits gov. If visitors arrive, insist they people try to maintain connec- and remaining socially active * Wash your hands frequent- follow the same handwashing tions with family and friends supports brain health. ly. Frequent handwashing can routine. If you cough or sneeze while respecting social distanc- Caring for dementia patients help dementia caregivers keep during the day, wash your hands ing guidelines. The Alzheimer’s during the COVID-19 outbreak their patients safe. Wash your immediately, and always wash Association urges dementia hands with soap and water for hands before preparing meals. caregivers to consider programs requires embracing various at least 20 seconds upon arriv- * Look for virtual programs that offer virtual activities that strategies to reduce patients’ ing at your patient’s home, and that encourage social engage- encourage dementia patients to risk of exposure to the poten- continue to wash your hands ment. Virtual gatherings have engage socially. Such engage- tially deadly virus. Caregivers play vital roles in continue to provide care for de- the lives of the people they look after. That's especially true for mentia patients. * Wear face masks or cloth Choices for long-term care people caring for dementia pa- coverings. Face masks or cloth Being able to care for oneself Aging, services can include ties, * Skilled nursing homes: tients, many of whom require coverings should be worn when round-the-clock help every day. tending to dementia patients. independently can be a source home-delivered meals, pest + Independent senior living: Nursing homes provide care for A caregiver’s role is never This includes when preparing of pride. However, illness or control, minor home modifi- Independent living facilities those who cannot care for them- age can affect people in ways cations, or visiting nurses and may provide assistance only easy, but the demands have been meals for dementia patients selves at home or in the commu- even greater during the global or cleaning their homes. The that require them to seek as- health aides. Other benefits may when needed, Amenities are COVID-19 pandemic. Despite CDC urges caregivers to wear sistance with medical needs or include shopping or physical designed to make things easier nity. These facilities offer many social distancing guidelines personal protective equipment daily activities for an extended therapy. and more convenient for resi- services all under one roof, like and recommendations to reduce when providing personal or period of time. In such instanc- Community care dents. Fitness centers, pools, rehabilitative services, meals, interactions with those vulner- medical services to people with es, long-term care services can Community services can in- dining venues, and transporta- activities, and around-the-clock able to COVID-19, including dementia, including when help- fill a need, clude adult day care centers, tion may be included, These fa- care. Some skilled nursing the elderly, dementia caregivers ing them bathe. Long-term care assists people meal programs, senior centers, cilities tend to provide the most in their homes, in the commu- community transportation, and independent form of senior liv- homes offer temporary care af- must continue to help patients + Arrange for a substitute in need. caregiver if you are ill or ex- nity or in various types ofacili- others. Community services en- ing. Some independent living ter an injury or illness and are The Centers for Disease Con- hibiting any symptoms of CO- ties with various daily and med- able people to continue to live facilities are part of larger con- used in lieu of an extended hos- trol and Prevention notes that VID-19. Caregivers should ical requirements. According to in the community with some tinuing care retirement com- pital stay. older adults are at the highest have a backup caregiver lined WebMD, research shows that support. They also may help munities that have staged care It is never too early to begin tisk of severe illness from CO- up in case they feel ill or if they many people are unaware of family or friends serving as that goes from independent to long-term care options or may caregivers enjoy a break from skilled nursing. planning for elder care that may VID-19. That puts dementia are exhibiting any symptoms of caregivers in difficult positions, COVID-19 or if they have been be misinformed about what's the assistance they have been + Assisted living: These include long-term care possi- as data from the World Health exposed to anyone with the vi- out there. providing. homes provide 24-hour supervi- bilities. Individuals are urged to Organization indicates that age tus. The CDC notes that symp- Home care Care facilities sion, meals, healthcare services, work with an elder care lawyer is the strongest known risk fac- toms of COVID-19 include fe- Various services can be uti- Long-term care may be mis- and other forms of assistance in to help navigate the complexi- tor for dementia. The Alzheim- ver or chills, cough, shortness lized in the comfort of home. taken as strictly nursing homes, a home-like setting. Types of er’s Association urges dementia of breath or difficulty breathing, According to the Knoxville- but facilities extend to places services include laundry, house- ties of planning for medical caregivers to follow guidelines and muscle or body aches. A Knox County Community that provide other services. keeping, medication dispersal, care and their potential financial established by the CDC as they full list of COVID-19 symp- Action Committee Office on Here's a look at the care facili- and dressing. needs. How to give back to health care workers Millions of people across the came crashing to a halt. Health tors, nurses, EMTs, and others gaged general public can reas- blood donors away, but the and encouraging others to do globe donate to charities or vol- care workers have been on the who continue to confront CO- sure health care workers that American Red Cross is urging the same, people looking to unteer as a means of bolstering front lines in the fight against VID-19 every day. they’re not alone in the fight people to continue donating give back can send a message to their communities and helping the COVID-19 virus for months * Keep it simple. Efforts to against COVID-19 and other blood so health care workers the less fortunate. Such help is on end. Stressful working en- give back to health care work- potentially deadly viruses and can meet the needs of patient health care workers that they’re valuable no matter when it’s of- vironments and concerns about ers need not be extraordinary. diseases. While blood is not care. supported and that their voices fered, but giving back in 2020 bringing the virus home and Simple gestures like preparinga used to treat COVID-19, vari- * Support efforts to procure are being heard. has proven to be an especially potentially infecting their fami- weeknight meal for health care ous health organizations, in- more funding for hospitals. Health care workers continue necessary endeavor. lies have made the challenges workers and their families, of- cluding the U.S. Surgeon Gen- Since the outbreak of CO- As a global pandemic took of fighting the pandemic even fering to babysit on a weekend eral’s Office, have expressed VID-19, both the American to confront the COVID-19 virus hold during the winter of 2019- tougher for health care work- afternoon or tackle a few chores concerns that hospitals will not Hospital Association and the every day. Giving back to these 20, millions of people found ers. Supporting such workers around the house can help ex- have enough blood on hand to American Nurses Association valued members of the commu- themselves battling a poten- in these uncertain times can be hausted health care workers treat accident victims and sick have expressed hospitals’ need nity is a great way to show just tially deadly virus, while mil- a great way for people to show catch their breath. people who need blood to sur- for more financial support as lions more found themselves just how much they appreciate + Donate more than just your vive. Social distancing mea- they continue to battle the vi- how much their efforts are ap- out of work as the economy the extraordinary efforts of doc- time and effort. An actively en- sures may be keeping potential tus. By supporting such efforts preciated. Comforting Hands Hospice salutes our Western Oklahoma healthcare partners! We realize that many people are facing challenges of their own and we extend our sincere thanks for the efforts and sacrifices being made to reduce the spread of Covid-ig. We are blessed with a compassionate team of hardworking individuals who care for our patients, families, and communities. Now, more than ever, we want to say THANK YOU to Western Oklahoma for allowing us to continue to do our part omforting ands Hospice. in providing exceptional palliative end- of-life care, social support, and counseling services as we continue working the front lines during this COVID-I9 pandemic. 580-225-1738