Older Adults and Coronavirus Risks

Coronavirus (COVID-19) can infect anyone, but it’s older adults ages 60 and older that are at higher risk of a more serious illness due to the virus. More is being learned every day about this new disease and we want to keep our aging population updated as much as possible.

Why are older adults more vulnerable to Coronavirus?

Everything in our body ages with time, including our immune system. This aging, along with underlying health issues makes those in our aging population more susceptible to this virus, resulting in a higher risk of severe respiratory illness.

What are the recommended precautions right now?

The advice for older adults from the CDC and other credible sources such as the World Health Organization (WHO) remains the same:

• Wash your hands OFTEN – this cannot be stressed enough. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water kills germs. The warm water will get a much better lather going to create the bubble effect, which helps remove the germs from your skin. Your hands may become dry and your fingers may become rough, but washing your hands properly and often will help stop the spread of COVID-19.
• Stay home – while you may have to go out for groceries and necessities, one of the best ways to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is to stay put. If you do go out, remember to practice “social distancing”. Below is a video from the World Health Organization that explains why it’s important to keep your distance.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces – be sure to not only clean but disinfect frequently touched surfaces in your home as well. If you are sanitizing only, be sure to read about the difference between disinfecting and sanitizing.
• Wipe frequently touched surfaces in public – No, we don’t mean walking around Walmart with a bottle of Clorox and wipes to clean shelves. What we mean is if you have to go to the grocery store, be sure to wipe down the shopping cart handle BEFORE touching it. It has been touched by countless people prior to you.
• Minimize touching your face – your face (no matter what your age) is a very vulnerable part of your body when it comes to germs because of the mucus membranes. The places on your face that are most vulnerable are the nose, mouth, and eyes. They also tend to be the hardest to stay away from when you touch your face.

New information is coming out daily about COVID-19. Be sure to check back frequently to stay updated on the latest news by visiting our Coronavirus Info Page.