Almost everyone has been infected or knows someone that was infected by COVID-19 at this point. After over two years enduring the peaks and valleys of cases rising and falling, it has changed our lives in so many ways. Whether we are experiencing long term health effects, a change in employment, or new ways of engaging with others in public, life has become more unpredictable during this era.
Since it appears that we must learn to live with variants of this disease going forward, it is important to know ways to protect the most vulnerable in our society. In particular, the elderly are more susceptible to COVID-19 and remain at a higher risk of infection. Here are some effective methods for protecting the health of our elderly loved ones during these times.
Encourage exercise
Maintaining health in old age has a lot to do with the activity level of the individual. If they spend most of their time living a sedentary lifestyle, the strength of their immune system could be in jeopardy. Some good exercises for older adults include frequent walks, resistance bands, and light weight lifting. Overdoing it can cause more harm than good when it comes to taking care of muscles, so your older loved ones should not exert themselves too much with any form of exercise. Maintaining muscle and better blood flow with aerobic exercise will improve the body’s ability to fight off infections, including COVID-19 and its variants.
Drink lots of water
Consuming the recommended daily amount of water can help the body rid itself of many toxins. This can be especially helpful if someone has become infected with a virus or bacteria. With cases of COVID-19 on the rise once again, you should encourage your elderly family members to be drinking a lot of water. This will help keep their immune system free of damaging toxins and give it a better chance to fight off infections of any kind. It can also help with other health issues like blood pressure and protecting certain vital organs.
Good nutrition
We can always control what we put into our bodies. Some foods are extremely helpful in building up the immune system, such as fruits, vegetables, animal meats, and whole grains. Your elderly loved ones should also avoid high amounts of salt and sugar, and moderate the amount of fats and oils that they consume. These specific diet recommendations will improve the immune system’s ability to defend the body from infection, including the COVID-19 virus.
Stay up to date with vaccinations/boosters
The best method for protecting the elderly from COVID-19 and its effects is the vaccine and its follow-up boosters. This method is proven to lower the chance of getting the disease, as well as strengthen the body’s response in the event of an infection. Although the elderly may be vulnerable to side effects from the shot itself, that is a conversation to have with their doctor to determine the viability of the vaccine for them. Plus, with the high rate of infection that plagued many nursing homes across the country, which can already be concerning environments for residents, with 1 in 10 suffering from nursing home abuse. the vaccine becomes much more important for seniors who are living in long-term care facilities. If your loved one is not up to date on their COVID-19 shots, consider starting that conversation with them to protect their health.
Nothing beats fresh air
Being outside provides numerous health benefits that are good for the body. The sunlight can build up vitamin D levels, and unfiltered oxygen can do wonders for physical well-being, such as improving blood flow and injecting energy into the body. Spending time outside also encourages exercise, which will benefit the immune system as well. Additionally, fresh air and sunshine are better for your overall mental health. Mental strength can make a difference in fighting off infections, so leading a happier lifestyle that includes time spent outdoors will improve the chances of a strong immune response to diseases.
Vulnerable individuals need more protection
When those we love have compromised immune systems due to old age, we have to be extra vigilant to protect them from COVID-19 variants. Exercising, drinking water, eating a nutritious diet, getting the vaccine, and spending time outdoors can have a positive impact on their overall health, giving their body a better chance against diseases and other ailments.
Whatever habits elderly individuals may already have, incorporating these methods into their lives will help them in the midst of another rise in cases. As we learn to live with seasonal surges and potentially endless new variants, we can set our loved ones up well to maintain their health and keep COVID-19 at bay.