Caring for Someone Isolating at Home with COVID-19
Though the transmission rate of the virus that causes COVID-19 is considered low in the New York metropolitan area, the pandemic persists.Hospitalizations are down,butsomeNew Yorkers mayend upcaring for a COVID-19-positive loved one at home.
Although the virus that causes COVID-19 poses unique challengesbecause of contagion,starting with basic caretaking support is good first step.
The patientwill need fluids, rest, and help following medical instructions. Since the patienthas to quarantineuntil they test negative for the virus,they’ll need help with grocery shopping and obtaining prescriptions.
Physicians and theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC)recommend.
“It’s much more difficult when you don’t have thelivingspace the sparebut still have to limit contact,” acknowledgesRachelSmerd, MD,assistant attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital andassistant professor of medicine at ֭Ƶ Medical College.
Keepingwindows opentoventilatethe home, andcarefullycleaningthe space where the COVID-positive patient has been, especially thekitchen and bathrooms, is can make a difference, Dr.Smerdsays. If possible, sheadds, the patient should not prepare food, andthedishes and utensilsthey’ve usedshould be washed in the hottest water possible.
Caretakers should limit contactwith the patientand wear a mask, even in their own home.Dr.Smerdunderscores that the CDC has confirmed that the virus can,sowearing a mask protects the COVID-19-positive patient from getting sicker,andthe caretaker from becoming sick.
It also can help to have certainmedical itemssuch asa blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter, especially for patients over 50. That makes it easy to update physicians via telemedicine, Dr.Smerdsays.
The CDC recommends having emergency phone numbers onhand, and of course, watching carefully for signs that the patient’s condition is worsening. Those can includetrouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to stay awake, and bluish lips or face.
Caretakers need toremember totake care of themselves, Dr.Smerdsays,includinggettingaflu shot.
“The flu shot doesn’t protect you against COVID-19, but against the flu,” she says. “We want to make sure as many people get it as possible, because we’re going to have two serious viruses around at the same time.”
Dr.Smerdalsoadvises caretakers toreevaluate the necessity of, andseekingaccurate informationabouthow to care for patients withCOVID-19throughreliablesources,includingand the.