The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic brought India to a complete standstill with many Indians facing the devastating effects of SARS-CoV-2.
The daily case count reached as high as 4.14 lakhs, with 90.3 lakh cases recorded in the month of May, the highest count recorded for a month in any country so far.
Experts are predicting that the third wave will primarily affect children, but it is important to recognize that seniors will always be vulnerable to COVID-19.
Age is one of the biggest factors in the likelihood of disease, and this is no different with the current pandemic.
As such, it is vital that all necessary precautions and protocols are followed at home to protect seniors from the disease.
These include:
Seniors who have not got themselves vaccinated should do so at the earliest as it is, by far, one of the best ways to protect oneself from the virus.
It is vital that all necessary precautions are taken when going for vaccination, such as wearing the appropriate safety gear and obtaining a recent negative test result.
However, this is easier said than done as India is currently facing severe vaccine shortage.
Thankfully, the process is somewhat easier for older population.
Following safety protocols is in some ways both the easiest and most difficult measure to implement. The steps themselves are easy – washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing.
However, the discipline required to do them properly and continuously can be challenging, and the temptation to relax protocols as cases in the second wave drop, will be real.
This was always true for seniors, as keeping the mind engaged through mental and social activities dramatically improves quality of life.
However, it becomes supremely important during periods of isolation.
Many seniors are accustomed to community activities and all efforts should be made to ensure some version of this continues during the pandemic.
Measures like these will go a long way in maintaining morale in such a difficult time.
However, it is also important to recognize that strictly adhering to these steps may not be possible for everyone.
Many will not be able to completely isolate themselves either because of work requirements or because of hyper-active children.
To those with the financial means, relocating seniors to a safer space like an alternative home or senior care homes may be the most prudent option.
Senior care homes like the ones at Antara maintain a strict safety net around seniors and also provide immediate in-house care and support that will not require traveling outside of the protective bubble.
Of course, these are all measures that are within the control of individuals but will only go so far, as even a strict safety protocol is not 100 percent effective.
Only a nation-wide policy response will be capable of fully and properly protecting seniors, and, indeed, the population at large.
Governments must make every effort possible to ensure that the country is adequately prepared, but in the meantime, it is vital that all necessary precautions are taken to protect seniors.
(Dr. Shilpi Kulshreshtha is a Consultant Physician and Head of Clinical Services at Antara at Max Group company specializing in senior care.)
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