Coronavirus: What Older Adults Need to Know
At Connecticut Eye Physicians & Surgeons, we are monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) every day.
Why are we monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation so closely?
Because while COVID-19 is a cold virus, it is entirely new so we do not have years of experience dealing with it like we do with other viruses. This also means that no one has immunity from it.
Having said that, this is not a time to panic. Following common sense practices will significantly increase your chances of staying healthy. This is also a time to be educated from the right sources and to follow the facts, not the fiction.
Here’s What Older – 65 Years Of Age And Older – Need To Know
If you are over the age of 65 years, you are at risk to get a more serious form of COVID-19 should you contract it. This is likely because as people age, their immune systems change, making it harder for their body to fight off diseases and infection.
Another reason you are at risk is because many older adults are also more likely to have underlying health conditions – respiratory conditions, diabetes, heart disease – that make it harder to cope with and recover from.
Age increases the risk that the respiratory system or lungs will shut down when an older person has COVID-19 disease.
The CDC recommends that people at higher risk take the following actions:
- Stock up on supplies.
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact, and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible.
- Avoid non-essential travel.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect touched surfaces every day.
And What About Your Eye Exam?
If you have an appointment for an annual exam or a non-urgent issue in the next months, you have likely already gotten a call from us to reschedule your appointment.
However, if you are experiencing an issue with your eye/eyes, we are fully open and operating with Best Practices Risk Reduction Protocols. CT Eye Physicians & Surgeons can accommodate you in a sanitized exam room or through telemedicine, but we do not want you going to an emergency room for urgent eye issues until totally necessary. Call us if you have questions about your eyes at this time. Do not hesitate to call us at 860 644-5011.
