The coronavirus has taken the world by storm. Every day, we wake up to more news on the climbing death toll, heartbreaking stories, and the relentless fight by medical workers, grocery store employees, caregivers, and other essential workers to keep us safe. While this is a scary time for everyone, it’s especially stressful for the elderly aged 65 and older, and those with underlying health conditions. Older adults are more prone to infection, and if infected, are more susceptible to complications.

Whether you’re an elderly citizen yourself or caring for one, you must know what to do in order to stay safe and healthy during this treacherous time. Below, you’ll find seven tips for seniors to weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Read through for a full scope on how to stay safe, or use the list below to skip to a tip you’d like to learn more about.

1. Wash your hands
2. Stay home
3. Manage your finances
4. Practice social distancing
5. Disinfect your home
6. Stock up
7. Monitor your health

1. Wash your hands

The golden rule to staying safe from coronavirus is washing your hands. Coronavirus spreads when the virus attaches to a mucus droplet. When you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose, these droplets can go through the air and land on surfaces, which can then infect another person if touched. If you touch an infected surface or person with COVID-19 and then touch your mouth, nose, eyes, or face, the virus can easily enter your body and infect you.

Washing your hands is the easiest and cheapest way to prevent yourself from getting sick—not just from the coronavirus, but from most viruses and bacteria as well. According to the New York Times, the reason handwashing is so effective is because soap has the ability to break through the lipid membrane of viruses and bacteria. Once broken, the pathogen is destroyed and can no longer make you sick.

To wash your hands properly, follow these steps:

1.  Wet your hands with warm, running water
2. Apply enough soap to completely cover your hands
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 to 30 seconds, including under your nails, between your fingers, and the backs of your hands
4. Rinse your hands with running water and remove all soap
5. Dry your hands with a single-use towel, such as a paper towel, or a clean cloth

If you don’t have access to soap and water right away, you can use hand sanitizer. Follow the same rules and scrub your hands for at least 20 to 30 seconds. Additionally, make sure the hand sanitizer you use has an alcohol level of 60% or more.

To stay protected against COVID-19, you should be more aware of what you touch and when to wash your hands. You should wash your hands:

• Wherever you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose
• After you collect the mail
• After touching any surface outside of your home, such as a shopping cart, door handle, railing, etc.
• After you visit a public space or take public transportation
• Before and after eating
• After you touch your pet 

2. Stay home

Aside from washing your hands, the best way to stay healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic is to stay home. Staying home means you won’t have contact with potentially infected carriers. This means no going to restaurants, crowded areas like beaches and parks, and the homes of friends and family. While this may be difficult, staying home will prevent those who are most vulnerable from getting sick. 

It’s essential you and those you’re living with make a game plan. Designate one person in the household to run essential errands. Order groceries online or have a healthy and younger family member deliver them to your doorstep, and take advantage of food delivery deals offered by companies like Uber and Postmates. You can still enjoy a delicious meal from a restaurant by taking it out and eating at home.

While you’re at home, you’ll find that you have quite a bit of time on your hands! This is the perfect opportunity to find activities you like to keep you busy such as doing puzzles, gardening, and trying out new recipes.

3. Manage your finances

Another reason why the coronavirus is so stressful, especially for seniors, is the economy. With almost the entire country on lockdown, businesses closed, and fewer people making non-essential purchases, the economy has taken a turn for the worse. Retirement savings accounts and stocks are plummeting, which can place an economic burden on retired seniors.

To stay financially afloat, make sure you manage your finances. Knowing how to save money on a fixed income will ensure you get through this trying time. You can place your funds in a high-yield savings account, max out your 401(k) contributions, or invest in the stock market. Whatever you do, don’t give up hope. Markets always rise and fall, and this is only a moment in time. Even if you’re retired, you’re still going to need money in the future to live your golden years, so continue to invest, budget, and keep a comfortable emergency fund.

4. Practice social distancing

If you do need to go outside, such as to the grocery store, to get gas, or to go for a walk around your neighborhood, it’s important you practice social distancing. The CDC and other health professionals recommend you stay at least six feet away from others. When you get back home, make sure you take your shoes off at the door and wash your hands immediately.

5. Disinfect your home

You should also have a disinfecting station near the front of your home where people enter and exit. Have a bottle of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to clean plastic bags and other outside objects. Use EPA-approved disinfectants, such as Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and certain sprays by Lysol to clean objects such as:

• Light switches
• Doorknobs
• Keys
• Phones
• Remotes
• Keyboards
• Countertops and tables
• Money and coins

6. Stock up

Because you’re going to be cooped up inside for a while, it’s essential you stock up on necessary items to get by. Luckily, water won’t be impacted by the coronavirus, so your tap water will still be drinkable and safe to bathe in. However, other products are going to be needed to live comfortably in quarantine. Remember, though, there’s no reason to hoard certain items, so make sure you leave items like toilet paper and pasta for other families in need.

Make sure you stock up on these essential items:

• Disinfectants
• Detergent
• Toilet paper and paper towels
• Prescription medicines
• Canned goods, such as beans, fruits, pasta sauces, and vegetables
• Dry foods, such as pasta, breads, and other grains
• Frozen foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and meats

7. Monitor your health

Even if you follow the previous measures, you can still come in contact with COVID-19, which is why it’s crucial you continually monitor your health and stay healthy by eating well and exercising. Asymptomatic carriers, meaning those who have the virus but show no symptoms, are one of the leading reasons why this deadly virus is spreading so rapidly. Because they don’t show any symptoms, they believe they’re healthy and still go to the grocery store, work, and outside, which can be detrimental to the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

Every day, check in with yourself to see if you’re beginning to feel ill. Some common symptoms of the coronavirus include:

• Coughing
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Difficult breathing
• Loss of taste and smell

If you do experience any symptoms, call your doctor from home first before going out into the public. From there, your doctor will provide you with the necessary steps to receive treatment and stay healthy. If you are experiencing any symptoms, quarantine yourself in a separate room of your home to keep those living with you healthy.

Wrapping up

We’re living in strange times. With coronavirus rapidly spreading throughout the world, it’s important you do your part to keep yourself and others healthy. Seniors, especially those with underlying health conditions, are more prone to complications. With these seven tips on hand, you and your loved ones will be able to weather this storm and return to your daily routines.