Recently, an announcement was made by the Federal government that COVID-19 testing in nursing homes would be increased with the help of some big name pharmacies. This is a big step forward in increasing the safety of elderly individuals in the U.S., especially those that already have serious health issues. Even before COVID, these individuals were highly at risk of life-threatening illness. Now that COVID has taken over, they are even more vulnerable.
The number of nursing home residents that have died from COVID-19 accounts for about one-fourth of all of the COVID-related deaths in the United States. And of those that have been infected that reside within a nursing home, about 12 percent have passed away. Compare that to the national average of less than 0.1 percent of individuals that have had COVID passing away because of the disease. We already knew that seniors would be hit hardest by this, but the numbers reveal just how vulnerable they are. And when it comes to nursing home residents, it’s an enormous difference. We need to do all that we can to protect our older loved ones.
COVID-19 testing isn’t meant to cure anyone of the illness. It is supposed to identify individuals that are ill so that those that are healthy can stay safe. There has been some controversy in the U.S. because we have had so many tests conducted, but the goal is to keep as many people safe as possible. The testing has revealed that less than one percent of those tested have been positive for an infection, and this is good news. Once people that have been infected have been identified, they can quickly get the treatment and help that they need so that they can recover and others can stay healthy.
There’s a lot of confusion out there about COVID, health, and what the best approach to senior care is. Although there’s still a lot to learn about the novel coronavirus, if you are concerned about you or a family member getting sick, the best approach to take is to be as cautious as possible. Ensure that you are following all of the safety and protection protocol out there. Wear your mask when in public, wash your hands and use sanitizer whenever possible, and don’t leave the house unless you absolutely need to. These are not foolproof safety measures, but they will help to reduce your risk considerably.
We can help make the search for senior care a little easier. Our team of caregivers can help walk you through the process of getting started. And if you’re not a hundred percent what the best route is for your family, we can help with that, too. Give us a call today to get started. Our consultation is completely free and comes with no obligation. Our goal is to answer your questions and point you toward the resources that will help you the most. That might be our in-home care service, or it might be something else. Either way, we’ll help you figure out the best course of action for you and your family.
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