By Karen Smith
Bio: Karen Smith has been working for MePACS as the Head of Sales and Marketing for the last four years and has over 20 years experience in health, technology, digital and finance industries.
How lone healthcare workers can care for elderly patients during COVID-19 pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc on the lives of people in countries around the globe and it’s put added strain on healthcare systems that were already in need of more funding. Healthcare staff are working on the frontline to help those who are most affected by the virus – the elderly. Here are a few ways that lone healthcare workers can care for their elderly patients in a safe manner.
Wear protective gear
The US and UK, as well as less-developed countries have struggled to supply their healthcare staff with enough personal protective equipment (PPE) during this pandemic. For lone healthcare workers visiting a patient in their home, they may have even less access to protective gear than medical staff in hospitals but protecting yourself in as many ways as you can, is better than no equipment at all.
N95 respirators are the most effective masks for health workers treating COVID-19 patients as they keep out 95% of small airborne particles from entering. Other equipment to wear include non-sterile long-sleeved gowns, medical gloves and goggles.
Take extra precautions
Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways of controlling infection as germs can stay on surfaces for up to a few days at a time. Lone healthcare staff who are working with vulnerable elderly patients should wash their hands before and after preparing food, after visiting a public space, after using the bathroom and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezing.
It’s also important for health workers to maintain a 1.5 metre distance from their patients where possible. Of course, when administering medication or performing other medical tasks this can’t be maintained, which is why lone healthcare employees should wear protective gear to avoid passing on any germs.
Teach tech
It’s a lonely time for seniors during this pandemic as they can’t see their family or close friends face-to-face so healthcare workers should encourage their patients to use technology to interact with their children and grandchildren. If the patient has a smartphone, show them how to make a FaceTime call so they can see their family member’s face to brighten their day.
If they have a big family who are using Zoom or Google Hangouts to communicate, workers can show them how to set it up so it’s easy for them to use next time when they’re alone.
Lone worker tech
There is a lot of technology available now to make life easier for healthcare workers. One device that is very useful for healthcare workers who spend large portions of their day alone is a duress alarm. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many healthcare workers to suffer from stress, lack of sleep and trauma. A duress alarm is a small device that can be worn around the neck or wrist that the wearer can push in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Healthcare workers face an enormous amount of pressure and on top of that, are much more likely to experience verbal or physical abuse from patients, family members and even strangers. Protecting healthcare workers is vital during the pandemic and workers often say they feel more supported by their organisation who provide them with a duress alarm. Carrying a duress alarm is beneficial to elderly patients too if help is needed quickly for them.
Look after yourself
A study on Chinese hospital staff published by Frontiers in Psychiatry, highlights the effects the pandemic has had not only on people’s physical health but also their mental health. The researchers who conducted the study found that 36% of the participants experienced insomnia while working in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Those who suffered from insomnia were more likely to experience worse anxiety, depression and trauma. Healthcare staff who conduct in-home visits may have even less social interaction than those in large hospitals where colleagues are onsite.
Here are a few ways healthcare staff can manage their mental health:
- Reading
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Keeping a diary
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Limiting social media exposure
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Talk to a friend or loved one about what they are experiencing
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Exercising or doing meditation
If the situation gets worse, a healthcare worker should speak to a therapist or a counsellor. Without looking after their own wellbeing, healthcare workers aren’t able to properly care for their elderly patients.