How Seniors Can Weather the Coronavirus Storm
Kenosha - It’s been widely reported that seniors are among the most vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of severe illness if infected with coronavirus, and worldwide, eight in ten deaths have been people 65 years of age and older. That is why it is absolutely critical that seniors know the facts when it comes to staying healthy, as well as other tips and resources that can ease anxiety and cabin fever while we isolate.
Healthwise, the most effective and important thing you can do is continue following the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) social distancing guidelines. Stay at home with just the members of your household as much as possible. If you absolutely must go out, maintain a distance of at least six feet from others. Cover your coughs and sneezes, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and wash hands often with soap and water for at least twenty seconds. Draft a plan in case you do become sick. Identify a designated “sick room” in your home where an ill person can separate from healthy household members. Identify people and/or organizations outside of your household that can provide assistance, should you need it.
It can be difficult to stay inside. Not only does cabin fever set it, but you may need essentials like prescriptions or groceries. If possible, explore grocery delivery services like Instacart or stores’ own delivery services, or ask a friend or family member to deliver groceries and drop them outside your door. If that’s not possible, look for stores with senior shopping hours; you can find a list on my website. Stock up on prescriptions; many major insurers, as well as Medicare, are currently relaxing limits on refills for maintenance medications. Look into using mail-order pharmacies that will bring your prescriptions right to your door.
Staying active while cooped up is an important part of staying healthy. There are many videos and websites offering short in-home workouts for seniors. Check out verywellfit.com or AARP.org, as well as the National Institute on Aging and The Body Coach TV YouTube channels.
Finances can be a major concern and contributor to stress and anxiety during this time. Some help is on the way in the form of a federal stimulus payment. Individuals with incomes below $75,000 per year and couples earning below $150,000 per year will be receiving $1,200 ($2,400 per couple). Your eligibility for the stimulus is based on your federal income tax return; however, Social Security recipients who are not required to file will not have to take any extra steps, as their eligibility will be determined on information provided by the Social Security Administration. As a result of Executive Orders issued by Governor Tony Evers, neither evictions and foreclosures nor disconnection of public utilities are taking place during the public health emergency. If you are struggling to make ends meet and have to choose between food on the table or one of these payments, as your provider, landlord or mortgage company about a deferred payment plan, whereby you can pay in installments later on as you get back on your feet.
Finally, I know that even with this information, people still have a lot of questions. Every Thursday at 12 pm, AARP hosts a Coronavirus Information Tele-Town Hall, where experts in different fields take questions and provide helpful information. You can participate by calling in at 1-855-274-9507 or listening to the live audio stream at aarp.org.
This is a difficult time for many of us. If we all listen to the experts and stay inside, we’ll get through it much faster and healthier.
For more information and updates related to the COVID-19 crisis, you can visit my website, http://legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/22/wirch.