Caring for someone with COVID at home or in a non-medical setting can be very challenging, especially if the individual is at a higher risk of getting severely ill from COVID. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults (65+) and/or individuals with certain medical conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, are at an increased risk of getting severely ill from COVID. It is always recommended that you speak with your medical provider about the steps you can take to treat COVID at home. If you have mild to moderate symptoms of COVID and are advised to stay at home as part of your treatment, make sure you have someone who can assist you with daily tasks – a family member or a home health caregiver.
Signs and symptoms of COVID
COVID doesn’t affect everyone equally; symptoms and severity can vary depending on certain factors, including lifestyle choices and/or the presence of any underlying medical conditions. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Seek emergency medical care immediately if you or a loved one is showing any of these symptoms:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
This list does not include all possible symptoms; please call your doctor about any other symptoms that concern you.
Instructions for the patient
Stay at home
If you are not in an emergency and the symptoms you are experiencing are manageable, staying at home is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and others. It’s important to stay calm and not stress over it – the majority of COVID cases are mild and can be treated at home. COVID is easily transmitted through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person sneezes or coughs, so it’s very important to self-quarantine at home; do not go out except to seek medical care.
- Do not go to work, community events, the grocery store, or other public areas
- If you need to get groceries, use a food delivery service such as Uber Eats, or ask your caregiver/family to get food and other essentials
- Do not leave your home unless you need medical attention
- If you don’t live alone, stay in a separate room. If possible, this room should be well ventilated, with an open window
- Avoid having guests/visitors
Monitor your symptoms
It is crucial to keep track of your symptoms and their progression, as well as to note any other concerning symptoms. Follow the instructions from your medical provider and local health department.
- Monitor your symptoms periodically for two weeks
- Seek emergency medical care if your symptoms worsen or if you show any of these signs
Keep a safe distance from people
We’ve all heard about the importance of staying 6 feet away from strangers, because COVID spreads easily among people who are in close contact for a prolonged period of time. If you must leave your home (e.g., to get medical attention), always practice safe distancing:
- Know and follow the guidance from local public health authorities where you live
- When traveling, consider social distancing options
- Limit contact when running errands
- Choose safe social activities
- Avoid crowded indoor places
Cover up when coughing or sneezing
One of the fastest ways that COVID can be transmitted is via coughing or sneezing.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or cloth when sneezing or coughing
- Dispose of the used tissue/cloth
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or clean them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains over 60% alcohol.
Wash your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Use disposable paper towels to dry your hands.
- Use hand sanitizer – especially when leaving your home. Make sure the sanitizer has over 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
Do not share household items
- Do not share eating utensils, dishes, drinking glasses, cups, towels, bedding or other items that someone else uses or has used
- If you have to use a shared item, make sure to clean it thoroughly before and after use
Clean high-touch surfaces often and thoroughly
High-touch surfaces include kitchen counters, doorknobs and even light switches. Anything that is touched daily should be cleaned before and after use.
- Bathroom: Clean and disinfect everything that you touched in the bathroom after each use. Your caregiver should be able to clean and disinfect the things you touched if you cannot do it yourself
- Kitchen: Refrigerator door handles, counter, cabinets, utensils
- Living area: TV remotes, sofa, chairs, tables
- Misc: doorknobs, light switches, mobility equipment (if shared/touched by other members of the household)
Do your laundry
- Use regular detergent in the recommended amount
- Laundry does not have to be separated before washing
- If a caregiver/family member is helping you with laundry, make sure they wear gloves when handling your clothes. They should wash their hands thoroughly afterward
Dispose of items safely
- All disposable items, such as gloves and some face masks, should be carefully placed in the trash can
Instructions for the caregiver/family member
- One caregiver/family member should be the primary caretaker, and they should be in good health
- If the patient can’t wear a face mask, make sure you wear one at all times when you are near them
- Wear gloves
- Wash your hands often, especially after helping the patient
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs or light switches
- Monitor your own health
- during the time you care for the patient
- 14 days after you stop caring for the patient
- Monitor the patient’s health for 2 weeks after the COVID diagnosis, and look for:
- fever: temperature higher than 100.4 F or 38 C
- worsening of existing symptoms
- shortness of breath
- nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Be on standby for any emergencies. Keep an open channel of communication with the patient at all times!
How to stop the spread of COVID
Get vaccinated
About 92% of older adults (65+) have had at least one vaccine dose, and over 81% are fully vaccinated. In our opinion, the 3 main reasons why older adults should get vaccinated (find a vaccination center in Palm Beach or Broward) are:
- Older adults are eligible for vaccination (including at-home vaccination and other special accommodations)
- The virus is exponentially worse the older you are
- Vaccination is an effective method of managing COVID
Wear a mask
Everyone should wear a face covering (e.g., a cloth or regular K95 mask) when going out in public. Individuals who are sick and don’t live alone should wear a mask to avoid infecting household members.
Do:
- Make sure you can breathe through your face covering
- Wear it in public places – indoor or outdoor
- Make sure it covers your nose & mouth and isn’t loose on the sides – it should fit your face comfortably
- Wash it often
- Dry your face before covering it
Don’t:
- Touch your eyes, nose or mouth when you remove the mask
- Touch the front part of your mask when taking it off
- Wear one if you have trouble breathing
Disinfect & wash your hands
- Disinfect commonly touched surfaces like doorknobs or chairs
- Wash your hands: Use soap and water. Rinse your hands, apply soap thoroughly, and wash with warm water for a minimum of 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer that contains over 60% alcohol
Keep a 6-foot distance
Cover your sneezes & coughs
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough
- Dispose of used tissues, then wash your hands thoroughly
