The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a concern across the globe. The risk for contracting coronavirus is particularly high in elderly adults. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 8 out of every 10 COVID-19-related deaths occur in adults 65 years and older. This higher risk has caused senior living communities to take aggressive action to protect the health and safety of their staff and residents. These actions have resulted in safe spaces for elderly adults.
Controlled Environment
Since senior living and assisted living communities are self-contained, it allows for them to be more separate from the general population. This creates a highly controlled environment with precautions taken to ensure that those entering and exiting the facility are healthy and monitored. These actions decrease the risk of residents coming into contact with individuals that may be carrying the virus, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic.
Routine Sanitation
Due to the high-risk nature of the residents, senior living communities are undergoing constant cleaning and sanitation to ensure that the environment that the residents are living in is as safe as possible.
Constantly Updated
Due to the fact that elderly adults are at a higher risk than the rest of the population, senior living communities are actively seeking the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 and prevention. This means that senior living communities are on the pulse of what’s going on and what’s recommended from the CDC. All of this is in an effort to combat the spread of coronavirus and leads to a healthier, safer living environment.
The CDC recommends the following precautions be taken for elderly adults and others who are particularly high-risk.
- Limit your interaction with other people as much as possible
- Wear a face covering when interacting with others
- Keep at least 6 feet between you and others
- Wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water
- Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid public spaces as much as possible