I care for my 98-year-old father. I’ve created our plan and thought it might be helpful to show how we’re managing our situation. This is for general information only; please contact your health care team for guidance on your particular situation.
Minimize Exposure
Minimize visitors to your caree’s home
- Communicate the plan to minimize visitors in advance
- Prepare and distribute a note
- Neighbors
- Eucharistic ministers
- Professional caregivers
- Place a note on the door explaining that visitors will be limited due to an at-risk resident
- Prepare and distribute a note
Avoid Crowds
Minimize your exposure to the virus in order to minimize your caree’s exposure
- Work from home if possible
- Workout at home or outside rather than at a gym
- Stock up on food and supplies to minimize trips to the store – sample list pg. 3
- Research food and medicine delivery options
- Minimize trips to refuel vehicles and use disposable gloves
Have a Plan
Back up care plans for your caree
- Have a plan in case you develop symptoms
- Talk to your home care company about their protocol for an outbreak
- Prepare for school closures and the challenges that might arise
- Discuss possible care needs with local family members, develop a plan
- Have a plan in case you need to spend the night or a few with your caree
- Make sure that your caree’s neighbors know how to reach you
- If your caree is in an assisted living facility or a long-term care facility, ask about their emergency protocol plan for an outbreak
- How to Prepare Your Home for the Coronavirus NPR
- Download caregiving.com’s Family Emergency Plan
- Tips to Create a Plan for the “What If’s” Including the Coronavirus
Medical Professionals
- Determine how to contact doctors by phone or video chat
- Talk with your PCP about steps to take if you or a family member develop symptoms
- Talk with providers about back up plans for regular treatments, i.e. dialysis, chemotherapy, wound care
Best Practices
Practice good hygiene
- Wash hands as soon as you or anyone walk in the door and wash for 20 seconds
- Don’t touch your face with unclean hands
- Use hand sanitizer
- Cough in your elbow
- Throw away used tissue
- Keep high touch surfaces clean with household cleaning spray or wipes
Stay Healthy
Focus on the basics
- Sleep
- Healthy eating
- Hand washing
Mask
- There is mixed advice about wearing a mask
- Details are available here, Face Masks: What Doctors Say About Their Role In Containing Coronavirus
Stay Informed
Fear may spread faster than the virus, so know the sites to trust for information
Know the symptoms
Stock up on staples and minimize shopping
Non-perishable food
- Protein
- Tuna (Safe Catch)
- Beans
- Frozen Edamame
- Oatmeal
- High protein cereals
- Nuts
- Soups
- Health bars
- Fruits
- Dried
- Frozen
- Plastic containers ie Dole
- Canned
- Vegetables
- Frozen
- Canned
- Soups
- Beverages
- V8
- Vegetable
- Fruit
- Ensure
- Coffee/Tea
- Creamer
- Sweetener
- Other
- Rice
- Pasta
- Cereal
- V8
Non-food essentials
- Bathroom
- TP
- Wipes
- Soaps
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Toothpaste
- Lotion
- Other
- Kitchen
- Dish soap
- Dishwasher soap
- Hand soap
- Paper towels
- Misc
- Tissue
- Laundry detergent
- Hand Sanitizer
- Surface cleaner
- Disposable gloves
Medicines
- Prescription
- OTC
- Ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
About Theresa
Theresa takes care of her Dad who is 98. She is a Certified Caregiving Consultant™ and Certified Caregiving Educator™. Her passion is helping adult children of aging parents prepare for the caregiving experience through education and consultations. She works with the family caregiver on both the emotional and practical challenges of caring for an aging parent. With newfound skills and resources, the family caregiver is better able to navigate the systems and overcome the obstacles which allows them to create a meaningful journey. Visit SustainableCaregiving.com for more information on how to work with Theresa or to read more about her adventures as a family caregiver.