Make Home Safe
By Tevis Ong
• Ensure all floors are dry.
• Ensure floors are clear of any loose items which could contribute to a slip/fall, and carpets/floor mats are non-slippery.
• Items required by the elderly are close at hand.
• Meals or ingredients are pre-prepared for easy access/cooking.
• Emergency contacts have to be easily accessible in case of emergency situations.
When the pandemic hit Malaysia in 2020, our movements were limited to the pillars of our homes. Going out became a crime that many people were afraid of committing. What was even more terrifying was the fact that we didn’t know anything about the COVID-19 virus. As our worries grew, so did our time spent at home, and we realised that staying at home was the best option.
So that’s what we did. In doing so, it strengthened family ties in an indirect way. Especially for individuals who go to work or school on a regular basis. Many of these families have elderly members who are among the pandemic’s high-risk population. Furthermore, older adults are frequently diagnosed with underlying diseases. As a result, with both factors in tow, the elderly are forced to remain at home.
However, once the restrictions are relaxed, the workforce can return to work, and kids can return to school. What does this entail for the elderly who had grown accustomed to the family’s sounds at home, especially the elderly who are unable to move independently.
Tevis Ong, Homage Sarawak Expansion Manager, shares how to keep the elderly active at home while ensuring their safety. Ong went on to say that elders who are asked to stay at home face a variety of challenges.
“Mobility limitations, on the other hand, are the most significant and obvious.” Other health issues, such as stroke, heart disease, lung disease, and cancer, may also restrict their movements,” he said.
He also mentioned that people who are unable to get vaccinated owing to medical reasons should stay at home. However, due to the hazards posed by the virus, they have been hesitant to leave the house because they are unvaccinated.
“When exposed to the coronavirus, the elderly who have been diagnosed with chronic, long-term medical illnesses such as heart disease, lung disease, or cancer are at a higher risk,” he said.
Ong added that these people’s weakened immune systems render them more susceptible to diseases.
He went on to say that the severity of the infections could lead to pneumonia, multiple organ failure, shock, and possibly death at some point.
Return to normalcy after the pandemic
Although the possibility of an elderly person catching the virus is worrying, it is time to adapt and return to normalcy. With this in mind, Ong said that staying at home is not easy for anyone.
“In doing so, they witnessed the others return to their normal daily lives. It’s mentally exhausting as everyone reminisces about their lives prior to COVID-19.”
Nonetheless, Ong encourages those who are confined to their homes to engage in an enjoyable activity.
“There are various ways to keep a senior active. Growing your own produce through general gardening, doing crafts and doing some handy work, or play a board game instead. These hobbies could help them pass the time while also preventing dementia.”
Ong also advises the elderly to go for a 30-minute walk around the park and do simple exercises or stretches to avoid becoming inactive.
In terms of caring for the mental health of the senior citizens, Ong believes that with the progress of technology, video conversations with family and friends help ease loneliness.
“We’ve seen how video calls can be a great way to stay in touch and ‘see’ people during the pandemic.”
Aside from that, families can hire caregivers to provide companionship and care to the elderly.
Ong advises seniors who want to leave the house to take extra care. As everyone leaves their house, it is still common knowledge to use hand sanitiser, wear a face mask, and keep a safe distance from others to avoid infection.
Hiring caretakers is another option
Nothing cures the lonely heart like companionship as Homage care services provider expands its wings to Kuching, Sarawak. Ong said the team consists of care experts such as nurses and trained caregivers. Their home care through Homage has assisted the elderly in overcoming isolation and loneliness.
