4/8/2020 Coronavirus prevention tips for those over 60 - CNN

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Worried about coronavirus? If your loved one is over 60, read

this
By Scottie Andrew, CNN

Updated 11:23 AM ET, Fri March 13, 2020

(CNN) — The novel coronavirus can infect anyone, but it's older adults — ages 60 and up — who are more likely
to get seriously sick from it.

Some tips are applicable to every generation, but there are specific precautions older adults should take to protect
their health.

We spoke to two geriatricians and pulled guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to
assemble what people 60 and up need to know about the novel coronavirus.

You can download a sheet of that information (in English, Spanish and Chinese) and share with your loved ones.
But remember: Recommendations for Covid-19 may change as o cials learn more, so monitor your local health
department and the CDC for updates.

What's your risk level

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4/8/2020 Coronavirus prevention tips for those over 60 - CNN

The CDC says "older adults" and people with severe chronic
illness are more likely to become severely ill fromL ICovid-19.
VE TV

Infectious disease experts define "older adults" as anyone age

60 and up, so people in that age group should be cautious.

It's possible to contract the virus at a younger age — it's just

more dangerous in older adults because the immune system
weakens with age, said Dr. Samir Sinha, director of Geriatrics
for the Sinai Health System and the University Health Network
in Toronto.

People over the age of 80 may want to exercise even more

Related Article: Pandemic, COVID-19 caution. A report published in the medical journal JAMA that
and all the coronavirus terms you need to examined more than 72,000 Chinese coronavirus patients
know found that the overall fatality rate was 2.3%. But in adults over
80, the fatality rate rose to 15%.

If you live in a community where there's an outbreak, you're at

a higher risk of infection, too. Follow the advice below.

What precautions you should take now

Cancel all non-essential doctor's appointments, said Dr. Carla Perissinotto, an associate professor in the Geriatrics
Division of the University of California-San Francisco's Department of Medicine.

Whether it's a standard check-up, a follow-up appointment for a stable condition or an elective procedure, if
it can wait, then it should.

If you have an important appointment coming up, consider doing it in a video call or from your smartphone.
Telehealth tech lets physicians confer with patients who may not be able to leave their homes.

Tell a friend, a loved one, a co-worker or a neighbor if you're concerned about the illness. Appoint one of
them as an emergency contact who you can call with concerns or requests for help.

Otherwise, do what you'd do during flu season: Wash your hands frequently, the right way (get ready to read that a
lot). Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available, though washing your hands is preferred.

What you should stock up on

The CDC recommends keeping enough groceries and toiletries on hand to last you a "prolonged period of time."
There's no timeline for the Covid-19 outbreak, though, so think basic.

Stock up on toothpaste, detergent, water filters, etc.

Make meals and freeze them if you're concerned about food.

But stocking up on medication ahead of time isn't always

plausible, Perissinotto said. You may be able to switch to a 90-
day supply for your prescription. If this isn't possible, the CDC
suggests mail ordering medications.

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4/8/2020 Coronavirus prevention tips for those over 60 - CNN

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How you should alter daily activities

Older adults living in communities where the virus has spread should take extra precautions.

Avoid public places where crowds may gather or poorly ventilated buildings where the risk of transmission is
higher, the CDC said.

Restrict your time in public and limit close contact.

Older adults should still exercise and eat right, just as they would at any other time of the year, Sinha said.

And again, constant — and proper — handwashing before, during and after a trip into the public is necessary.

How you should handle travel

The CDC advises against non-essential plane travel for older adults. Several US airlines have already slashed their
flight schedules for the next few months.

It's wise to stay o cruise ships for now, too. Cruise passengers are at an increased risk of person-to-person
transmission with all the tight quarters, the CDC said, so if you're already made cruise plans, it's best to cancel
them.

What you need to know about self-isolation

The CDC recommends that high-risk groups in communities with outbreaks stay home as much as possible and
that people who believe they're sick isolate themselves.

Isolation can be damaging, too, if you cut o contact and are

lonely.

"I don't think the solution of totally being devoid of social

contact is the answer," Perissinotto said. "Yes, there is some
prudence we need to have in social distancing, but we also
have to be careful to not isolate more -- it can be very
detrimental."

So if you're self-isolating:

Don't cut o contact with family or friends.

Keep in touch to update them on your condition and curb
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And if you do go out, be sure to wash your hands with soap.

What your family can do

To help you, your family should think ahead.

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4/8/2020 Coronavirus prevention tips for those over 60 - CNN

Perissinotto recommends that family, friends and neighbors of

older adults do some inventory in case the olderL adult
I V E Tneeds
V
to isolate at home.

Does this person have what they need to spend an extended

period of time inside? If not, help them prepare supplies.

If their caregiver calls in sick, is there someone who can step

in to take care of them? Have a plan in place to make sure
they'll get care if they need it.

If they have a telemedicine appointment coming up, will they

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know how to access it? Set up the tech and show them how
to use it to speak with their physician.
Getting prepared and keeping in touch can help keep families
connected if an older member needs to isolate, Perissinotto
said.

And, of course, sick family members should not visit — stick to a phone or video call. And if a younger, healthy
family member has potentially come into contact with a Covid-19 patient, they should self-isolate and avoid seeing
older, susceptible family members.

What you should consider about nursing homes

It's natural to be fearful for family in nursing homes and long-
term care facilities, Sinha said: Older people and people with
chronic illnesses, both high-risk groups, are living together in
tight quarters.

The good news: Most nursing homes and long-term care

facilities are prepared for pandemics, Perissonotto said.

The CDC provides training for long-term care facilities on how

to operate during pandemics. If you're concerned about the
safety of your family member or want to learn about the
protocol their facility is following, contact sta at the facility.

Related Article: How religious

communities are modifying traditions to
prevent coronavirus spread

What you should do when visiting loved ones at nursing

homes
Under the national emergency declaration, nursing home visits are now restricted with limited exceptions. The new
federal guidance also cancels communal meals and group activities.

Set up an alternative mode of communication between residents and family to keep up with their health and
wellbeing.

What to do if you're sick

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4/8/2020 Coronavirus prevention tips for those over 60 - CNN

If you think you have the novel coronavirus: Stay home

and call your physician. If they think you should Lcome
I V E TinV for a
test, limit your interaction with other people and don't use
public transportation. They may provide a face mask for you
to wear while in their o ce.

If your doctor is not immediately available: Consider

calling a local coronavirus hotline. Some city, county and state
health departments have numbers you can call to discuss
your symptoms and learn more about the virus's impact on
the community. Keep in mind that these hotlines are meant as
informational resources, and it's impossible to diagnose
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falling for coronavirus scams
If you're diagnosed with the novel coronavirus and your
illness is mild: Your physician may advise that you stay home
until you recover. If your symptoms are more severe, you may
be hospitalized so physicians can monitor your condition.

Below is a tipsheet that you can download in English and Spanish and share with your friends and family.

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4/8/2020 Coronavirus prevention tips for those over 60 - CNN

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Coronavirus and older adults: What to know and

how to prepare
People ages 60 and up are at higher risk of novel coronavirus infection.
Symptoms include fever, dry cough and di culty breathing, and it's primarily
spread between people. Here's how older adults can prepare and protect
themselves from the novel coronavirus. This guidance comes from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Drs. Carla Perissinotto and
Samir Sinha, both geriatricians.

Note: Recommendations for Covid-19 may change as officials learn

more, so monitor your local health department and the CDC for
updates.

By Scottie Andrew, CNN

Take precautions

Cancel non-essential doctor’s appointments

Schedule telehealth sessions for appointments you can’t miss

Designate an emergency contact

Wash your hands frequently (scrub for 20 seconds with soap and water)

Use hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available

Stock up

Make sure you have enough groceries and household products to last you a
“prolonged period of time” at home

Prescription medication may be di cult to get ahead of time, so consider mail

ordering
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4/8/2020 Coronavirus prevention tips for those over 60 - CNN
ordering
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Travel
Avoid nonessential plane travel

Don’t go on a cruise —— cruise ship passengers are at a higher risk of infection

Life

Stay at home as much as possible if you live in an area where there’s an

outbreak

In public, avoid crowds and poorly ventilated buildings

Keep several feet of distance from people

Wash your hands with soap after going in public

If you need to isolate, keep in touch with family and friends

Nursing homes

Most long-term care facilities have pandemic plans

Call facility sta for information on their plan

If you’re sick, do not visit a nursing home

If you’re visiting a nursing home in an outbreak area, get screened before

entering

Figure out an alternative mode of communication if a nursing home bans visitors

If you think you’re sick

Call your doctor before going in for a test

Don’t use public transportation and stay at home as much as possible

Call a local coronavirus hotline for more information

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4/8/2020 Coronavirus prevention tips for those over 60 - CNN

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CNN's Francisco Guzman, Nicole Chavez, Sergio Hernandez and Damian Prado contributed to this report.

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