It is clear that the world is in the grip of a pandemic caused by the Corona virus. This causes a disease called COVID-19. With this disease, there is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians:
- Aged 65 and over
- With compromised immune systems
- With underlying medical conditions
In this article, we will discuss more about the disease and what seniors can do to protect themselves. That includes easing the problems that result from increased isolation and loneliness.
The COVID-19 Spread
The first cases of infection by the Corona virus occurred very early this year in China. As of this moment, the World Health Organization reports that there are over 130,000 confirmed cases in the world in over 120 countries.
This explosive growth occurs because apparently people who are affected by the Corona virus may not exhibit symptoms but are capable of infecting others. Governments everywhere are scrambling to take measures that will limit the growth and can provide care for those who become infected.
Social Distancing
Since the disease can pass so easily from one person to another, a key response is to practice Social Distancing. Ideally, you should stay at least 2 meters away from other people at all times. This is particularly hard on seniors who may often feel a sense of isolation anyway.
Shelter-in-Place
A more extreme measure that is being suggested is to ‘shelter-in-place‘. In other words, stay in your home at all times. That is tough for anyone and many seniors say they’ll risk leaving home.
Aging-In-Place versus Shelter-in-Place
Shelter-in-Place is very clearly different from Aging-In-Place, which is a preferred option for many seniors. Being able to enjoy a rich life in the home you’ve enjoyed for many years is clearly a preferred option. The separation from others that this gives can clearly be overcome by staying in touch with your friends and family. On the other hand, Shelter-in-Place brings enforced isolation. But there is a solution.
Alexa Overcomes Isolation
As mentioned in previous articles, an Amazon Echo with Alexa allows easy communication at all times with friends, family, caregivers, and others.
Alexa has a number of useful communication capabilities for seniors:
Voice and Video Calls
Initiate and receive voice and video calls by voice commands, to and from family and friends, whether they have Alexa devices or using their mobile phone.
Drop-In
The Alexa Drop-In feature allows communication in an intercom-like mode where a family member if permitted can Drop-In and initiate a conversation with the senior without the senior needing even to command Alexa to answer the call.
Communicating with Care Providers
If the senior lives in a Senior Home where the staff is equipped with Alexa devices as well, it can make the communication between the staff and residents much easier.
Ordering Services
With the help of Alexa, seniors can very easily contact different service providers, such as e pharmacy to order medications, instead of having to go out for the same when communication is more difficult.
Practicing social distancing does not need to mean accepting self-isolation.
TechieLiving Can Help You Set up Alexa
If you have not yet installed Alexa, where do you start? TechieLiving will be most happy to work with you in setting up such a system. Perhaps you are a senior who would like to equip your own residence. Or perhaps you are a family member who takes care of a senior and wants to help her be more safe. You may be the operator of a Senior Living Home that wants to offer your residence a safer environment. In all cases, this will be done in a way that avoids any possibility of virus transfer. Why not contact us now to get the ball rolling.
Further reading on this topic
A great deal is being written on this topic and the following articles are just a selection of what you will find.
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