Family caregivers always have a good deal of stress on their plates.
COVID-19 may not be the daily headline it once was, but for older adults, people with chronic health conditions and anyone with a weakened immune system, it is still something worth taking seriously.
Read on for practical changes caregivers can make at home to help lower risk, keep loved ones comfortable and, just as importantly, keep everyone from feeling completely cut off from real life.
By now, most of us know the basics: wash hands, stay home when sick, cover coughs and give people space when respiratory viruses are spreading.
For family caregivers, though, the basics can matter a little more because the person being cared for may not have the same ability to fight off an infection.
As noted by the CDC’s COVID-19 prevention guidance, staying up to date on vaccines, improving indoor air quality, testing when needed and wearing a well-fitting mask during higher-risk situations can all help reduce spread.
That does not mean turning the house into a medical facility. It simply means being more thoughtful about what comes in, who comes in and what happens after errands, appointments or visits.
Any time caregivers come home from shopping, work, appointments or another higher-exposure setting, they should wash their hands before providing care and wipe down frequently touched items when it makes sense.
When in doubt about what steps are appropriate for a higher-care environment, visit brandycare.com to see how professional caregiving facilities approach ongoing resident health and safety.
Vaccination is still one of the most important tools we have, especially for older adults.
Based on the CDC’s vaccine recommendations, older adults and people at higher risk should stay current with updated COVID-19 vaccines, and caregivers should ask the person’s medical provider what schedule is best for them.
While you’re at it, this is also a good time to confirm flu, RSV, pneumonia and shingles vaccines, because apparently one virus at a time was not enough for us to manage.
Seriously though, respiratory illnesses can overlap, and for an older adult, even a “mild” infection can lead to dehydration, weakness, confusion or a fall.
Those with chronic health conditions are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.
Unfortunately, these are also the same individuals who often need more appointments, more medications and more hands-on care.
Caregivers should ask medical providers whether some appointments can still be handled through telehealth, especially for routine check-ins, medication reviews or lab follow-ups that do not require a physical exam.
That said, do not skip important in-person care out of fear. Delayed care can create its own set of problems, and nobody needs a preventable emergency added to the family calendar.
When picking up prescriptions, look for a pharmacy with a drive-through pickup window, curbside service or medication delivery.
It is also smart to keep an updated medication list, the person’s insurance information, medical history and provider phone numbers in one easy-to-find place.
Not fancy. Just findable.
Family caregivers should monitor both themselves and the person receiving care for symptoms of COVID-19, flu, RSV or any sudden change in health.
Early symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, body aches, nausea, diarrhea or a new loss of taste or smell.
Back in the earlier days of the pandemic, loss of smell and taste received a lot of attention, and there were even reported cases where those were the main symptoms.
Today, symptoms can look different from person to person, and older adults do not always present in the textbook way.
When symptoms appear, testing can help guide next steps, especially before being around an older adult or someone who is medically fragile.
Caregivers should call a health care provider quickly for guidance because antiviral treatment may be an option for some people, but it usually works best when started early.
For dementia patients, a sudden increase in confusion, sleepiness, agitation or weakness may be the first obvious sign of illness.
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that a rapid change in confusion can be a common symptom of illness in people living with dementia.
Caregivers should call the person’s health care provider immediately when there is a sudden or unexplained change in behavior, alertness or physical function.
This is not the most fun task, but it is one of the most important.
Family caregivers need a plan for what happens if they get sick, test positive, need to isolate or simply cannot provide care for a few days.
That plan might include another family member, a trusted neighbor, a home care aide, respite care or a short-term stay in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility.
Ideally, this is figured out before anyone is standing in the kitchen with a fever, a positive test and absolutely no idea who is making lunch.
Write down what the person needs in a normal day, including medications, meals, mobility support, bathroom needs, sleep habits, favorite routines and any behaviors that tend to show up with stress.
A simple care sheet can make the transition easier for everyone, especially if another person needs to step in quickly.
Social distancing can be hard on aging loved ones who rely on family, friends, congregations and social groups for emotional support.
And honestly, it can be hard on caregivers too.
The goal now is not necessarily to hide from the world forever, but to choose lower-risk ways to stay connected when illness is spreading or when the person is at especially high risk.
That might mean phone calls with grandchildren, video chats with friends, online worship services, outdoor visits, short drives, porch conversations or a walk in a quiet park.
For visitors, ask the obvious questions before they come over: Are you sick? Have you been exposed? Would you mind testing first? Can we visit outside today?
It may feel awkward the first few times, but protecting a vulnerable loved one is not rude. It is caregiving.
There are some forms of in-home care that cannot be done online.
Bathing help, wound care, physical therapy and nursing visits generally require another person to enter the home, so it is reasonable to set expectations before they arrive.
Instead of relying only on a temperature check, ask whether the person has symptoms, has recently tested positive or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or another contagious illness.
A fever is not always present, especially in older adults or vaccinated individuals, so symptom screening matters too.
When respiratory viruses are circulating, a well-fitting mask may be appropriate for home care workers, visitors and caregivers, especially during close-contact care.
It is also fair to ask home care agencies about their sick leave policies, infection-control training and what they do when a staff member becomes ill.
One of the newer lessons from the pandemic is that indoor air matters.
Opening windows when weather allows, using exhaust fans, running a portable HEPA air cleaner and keeping HVAC filters changed can all help improve ventilation.
This is especially helpful during visits, after appointments or when someone in the home has mild symptoms but cannot fully separate from the person receiving care.
No one needs to freeze in February with every window open, of course. But even small improvements in airflow can help reduce the amount of virus lingering in indoor air.
Caregivers should continue cleaning frequently touched surfaces, especially when someone in the house is sick.
This includes doorknobs, faucet handles, toilet handles, counters, refrigerator doors, cabinet pulls, phones, remote controls, walkers and light switches.
COVID-19 can spread through respiratory droplets and airborne particles, and while surfaces are not considered the main route of transmission, cleaning still helps reduce germs in general.
That is especially true in caregiving households where there may also be flu, norovirus, colds and other infections making the rounds.
Use household cleaners as directed, wash hands after handling tissues or laundry and avoid mixing cleaning products.
Bleach and ammonia, for example, are not a power couple. They are a trip to poison control waiting to happen.
Dementia patients often exhibit behaviors like aggression, anxiety, restlessness and wandering even on the best of days.
The stress of disrupted routines, fewer visitors, masks, illness fears and caregiver burnout can make those behaviors worse.
Caregivers should respond with patience, flexibility and compassion, even when they are feeling stressed themselves.
That is much easier to say than to do, and I think it is important to acknowledge that.
People living with dementia can pick up on a caregiver’s anxiety, tone of voice and body language, so taking a minute to breathe before a difficult interaction can help.
The best approach is often redirection rather than arguing, explaining or trying to “win” the moment.
Try offering a familiar activity, folding towels, listening to music, looking through photos, going to another room or having a favorite snack.
Sometimes the win is not solving the behavior forever. Sometimes the win is getting everyone through the next 10 minutes with a little more peace.
Routine is crucial for dementia sufferers, especially when it comes to avoiding or easing disruptive behaviors.
It can also help caregivers feel a little less like they are reinventing the wheel every single morning.
Write out a daily schedule and try to keep meals, medications, bathing, rest and bedtime at roughly the same times each day.
It is also a good idea to keep a simple log of difficult behaviors and what was happening right before they occurred.
Were they hungry? Tired? Overstimulated? In pain? Constipated? Too hot? Too cold? Asked to bathe?
Details like these can help caregivers spot patterns and adjust the day before problems escalate.
And honestly, anything that helps prevent one more battle over socks is worth writing down.
Caregivers are often excellent at tracking everyone else’s medicines, meals, appointments and moods.
Then they forget to drink water, sleep, eat lunch or call a friend.
That is not sustainable, and it is not selfish to admit it.
Caregivers should build in breaks whenever possible, even if that means 20 minutes in another room while someone else sits with their loved one.
Support groups, respite care, counseling, online caregiver communities and help from family members can make a real difference.
You do not have to earn exhaustion points to prove you love someone.
Family caregivers still have a lot on their plates.
Many are balancing work, household responsibilities, medical appointments, finances, kids, grandkids and constant care for aging parents or other loved ones.
COVID-19 changed caregiving, but not every change has to feel overwhelming.
Staying current on vaccines, watching for symptoms, improving airflow, keeping a backup care plan and using common-sense precautions can help protect vulnerable loved ones while still allowing them to live their lives.
Caregivers should be patient with their loved ones, but self-compassion matters too.
A good caregiving plan protects the person receiving care and the person giving it, because both people matter.
To provide better user experience and correct display of content, this site uses cookies. By continuing to use our site or providing information you are agreeing to our Privacy & Cookie Policy.