The new coronavirus can infect anyone, but older adults, age 60 and older, are more likely to become seriously ill.
Some tips apply to each generation, but there are specific precautions older adults should take to protect their health.
We spoke to two geriatricians and obtained guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to gather what people age 60 and older need to know about the new coronavirus.
You can see the complete information here and share it with your loved ones. But remember: the recommendations for COVID-19 may change as officials learn more, so monitor for updates from your local health department and CDC.
What is your risk level?
The CDC says that "older adults" and people with severe chronic illnesses are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19.
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Infectious disease experts define "older adults" as anyone age 60 and older, so people in that age group should be cautious.
It is possible to contract the virus at a younger age, but it is 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 from Toronto.
People over the age of 80 should be even more careful. A report published in the JAMA medical journal examining more than 72,000 Chinese coronavirus patients found that the overall death rate was 2.3%. But in adults over the age of 80, the death rate increased to 15%.
If you live in a community where there is an outbreak, you are also at increased risk of infection. Follow the advice below.
The precautions you should take now
Cancel all non-essential medical appointments, said Dr. Carla Perissinotto, an associate professor in the Geriatrics Division of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.
- Whether it's a standard checkup, a follow-up appointment for a stable condition, or a procedure you asked for, if it can wait, then you should.
- If you have an important appointment to come, consider making it on a video call or from your smartphone. Telehealth technology enables doctors to consult with patients who may not be able to leave their homes.
- Tell a friend, loved one, coworker, or neighbor if you are concerned about the disease. Designate one of them as an emergency contact whom you can call with concerns or requests for help.
Otherwise, do what you would do during flu season: wash your hands often, the right way (be prepared to read a lot about this). Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available, although it is preferable to wash your hands.
What products should you buy?
The CDC recommends having enough groceries and toiletries on hand to last you an "extended period of time." However, there is no timeline for the COVID-19 outbreak, so think about the basics.
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- Stock up on toothpaste, detergent, water filters, etc.
- Prepare meals and freeze them if you are concerned about food.
But equipping yourself with medications in advance isn't always possible, Perissinotto said. You may be able to change your prescription to a 90-day supply. If this is not possible, the CDC suggests mail order medications.
How you should alter your daily activities
Older adults living in communities where the virus has spread should take additional precautions.
- Avoid public places where crowds can gather or poorly ventilated buildings where the risk of transmission is greatest, the CDC said.
- You don't need to disconnect from public life, you just have to be attentive when you interact with others.
- Older adults should still exercise and eat well, just as they would at any other time of the year, Sinha said.
And again, you need to constantly and properly wash your hands before, during and after being in public areas.
How you should handle travel
CDC advises against nonessential air travel for older adults. Several US airlines have already reduced their flight schedules for the coming months.
It is also advisable that you stay away from cruises for now. Cruise passengers have a higher risk of person-to-person transmission with all spaces reduced, the CDC reported, so if you already have cruise plans, it's best to cancel them.
What you need to know about self-isolation
The CDC recommends that high-risk groups in outbreak communities stay home as much as possible and that people who think they are sick isolate themselves.
But long-term isolation can be detrimental. Perissinotto studies the effects of social isolation on older adults, saying that loneliness and depression are "huge risks of mortality."
"I don't think the solution is to be totally devoid of social contact," he said. "Yes, there is a certain prudence that we must have in social distancing, but we must also be careful not to isolate ourselves further, it can be very damaging."
So if you need to isolate yourself:
- Do not cut off contact with family or friends.
- Stay in touch to update them on your condition and avoid boredom.
If the groups you're a member of are still meeting and none of the other members are sick, Perissinotto added that it should be okay for you to attend.
Just be careful. It's an individual choice, so if not attending would reduce anxiety a bit, that's fine too.
And if you do go, be sure to wash your hands with soap.
What your family can do
To help you, your family must think about the future.
Perissinotto recommends that family members, friends, and neighbors of older adults take an inventory in case the older adult needs to isolate himself at home.
Does this person have what they need to spend a long period inside? If not, help them prepare the supplies.
If your caregiver misses work because of illness, is there someone who can step in to care for you? Have a plan to make sure they get care if they need it.
If you have an upcoming telemedicine appointment, will you know how to access it? Set up the technology and show them how to use it to talk to your doctor.
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Preparing and staying in touch can help families stay connected if an older member needs to isolate himself, Perissinotto said.
And, of course, sick family members should not visit you - communicate by phone or video call. And if a younger, healthier family member has perhaps come into contact with a COVID-19 patient, they should isolate themselves and avoid seeing older, susceptible family members.
What should you consider about homes for the elderly?
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It's natural to be afraid of a relative in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, Sinha said: Seniors and people with chronic illnesses, both high-risk groups, live together in tight spaces.
The good news: Most nursing homes and long-term care facilities are prepared for pandemics, Perissonotto said.
CDC provides training for long-term care facilities on how to operate during pandemics. If you are concerned about the safety of a family member or want to know the protocol that their installation follows, contact the installation staff.
What should you do when you visit your loved ones in nursing homes?
This depends on whether the nursing home accepts visitors.
The CDC does not recommend a general ban on visitors, only those who show respiratory symptoms, such as coughs and sneezes. The Society for Post-Agute and Long-Term Care Medicine recommends that facilities screen visitors before entering outbreak areas.
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Some long-term care facilities do not allow visitors to protect their patients. Call the location ahead of time to learn about their current policy and establish an alternative mode of communication between residents and family.
And it goes without saying, but if you're sick, don't visit it.
What to do if you are sick?
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If you think you have the new coronavirus: stay home and call your doctor. If you think you should be tested, limit your interaction with other people and don't use public transportation. They may provide you with a mask to wear while you are in the office.
If your doctor is not immediately available: Consider calling a local coronavirus hotline. Some city, county, and state health departments have numbers that you can call to discuss your symptoms and learn more about the impact of the virus on the community. Please note that these hotlines are informational resources and that it is impossible to diagnose COVID-19 without a test.
If you are diagnosed with the new coronavirus and your illness is mild: Your doctor may advise you to stay home until you recover. If your symptoms are more severe, you can be hospitalized so that doctors can monitor your condition.
CNN's Francisco Guzmán, Nicole Chávez, Sergio Hernández and Damián Prado contributed to this report.
