CORONAVIRUS
BEST ADVICE IS STAY AT HOME!
Your Prime Minister has already stated that we risk 'losing loved ones before their time'. This may seem insensitive, but it's the reality. The truth of the matter is that because of modern medicine we are ALL hoping to live beyond our 'time', myself included! But the cost is that most of us will have more 'fragile' weaker defence mechanisms against illness. All we can do is to be responsible for our health & make wise decisions. We are a social society, compared to medieval times: we look after our sick and elderly. We need to be grateful and have realistic expectations. The people who are most at risk are the over 60's: yet the under 60's are having their lives disrupted in a massive way, financially, socially. Students who have been working very hard preparing for exams are having their dreams squashed. This is all to try to protect our more vulnerable members of society.
I'm hoping that you have lines of support established, that your adult children are in close phone contact and help you.
You have thermometers, BP machines, pulse oximeters.
You drink plenty of fluids (not just caffeinated drinks, which are peed straight out and dehydrate you).
That you take your medicine as prescribed. Studies show that one third of over 60's don't take their medicines properly.
Despite 3years of prompting, we still don't have mobile numbers for many over60's on record, and don't have NextOfKin consent/mobile numbers. At this challenging time, we need to be able to send you messages. Anyone who hasn't updated their record is simply unwise and irresponsible.
There are a lot of rumours and lies being spread online and by word of mouth about Coronavirus. Keep an eye on BBC news and this website for the truth. As we all get older, we can become single-minded and forget how to try to keep an open mind about advice: this is simply a fact. In this important time, listen and trust what the healthcare workers advise you: it's their job it is to help you live longer, with reasonable quality of life.
if you do become chesty, follow the advice in the first section on the Coronavirus tab here. Measure your symptoms. This is so we can make an assessment of whether you need respiratory support in hospital. Without this information, the doctor can't make a full assessment. Putting a stethoscope on your back isn't enough. We haven't time to visit everyone who needs visiting, but with responsible self-monitoring of important symptoms and telephone/video support by your doctor, we can manage your illness.
Patients with COPD, Asthma & Diabetes: refer the the personalised CarePlans you've been given.
Even if you've been lucky enough not to be diagnosed with any respiratory diagnosis yet, and you still smoke, NOW is an excellent time to stop!
If you've refused the Flu Vaccine & Pneumococcal Vaccine, now would be a good time to reconsider: people die not from Coronavirus, but from the respiratory Complications of it.
Low blood levels of Vitamin D leave you more susceptible to viruses: check your last blood test result and if you topped up, and if you've topped up for this winter.
IBUPROFEN & anti-inflammatories: firstly you shouldn't be taking them regularly, but only in short burst of 1-2weeks at a time. If you do get fever/become unwell, it's best to stop them, as they make you more vulnerable to viruses. Of course, you may be more stiff/in pain.
DON'T stop your BP meds!
Useful Links
Support for Over 65's
AgeUK
Sutton
scams
paying for care
footwear
Blister Packs
power of attorney wills power of attorney
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Making decisions about your health now,
in case you loose capacity in future
Advanced Decisions Advanced Decisions 2
most people don't think about this because it's uncomfortable.
but making decisions now might reduce suffering in future.
i feel EVERYone at ANY age has a right to make such decisions.
This is an example form that you can leave with us, but there's a personalised form in the Advanced Decisions 2 link above.
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money dementia support
Local Help advice
Regular check-ups
Memory , see Mental Health section Prostate
Funeral Directors
Smiths Trueloves