– If you are among the 1 in 5 Americans who serves as a caregiver to a spouse, parent, child, older adult, or someone with chronic health conditions, disabilities, or special needs, you may have taken on the role with little or no training or outside assistance.
In addition to assisting others with the activities of daily living and medical tasks, caregivers are often advocates helping ensure that those they care for receive the preventive care and treatments they need – including protection from potentially serious threats from like COVID-19 and flu.
Developing a care plan that includes checklists and reminders can help caregivers organize and prepare themselves to help manage someone else’s daily care and health. (CVEEP) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) have issued a new guide to help caregivers build a care plan ahead of this year’s respiratory illness season, which can be a stressful time for people with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems.
CVEEP and NAC experts offer the following tips for caregivers:
- Keep a list of medical issues and medications. Be sure to keep a record of any medical issues and any allergies – including drug allergies – the person in your care may have. It’s also important to maintain a list of the medications they take, including vitamins, supplements, or herbal products.
- Stay current on vaccinations. Ensure that you and those in your care stay up to date on routine vaccinations, including the updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines available in the fall. Consult with a healthcare provider about additional vaccines that may be necessary to protect against other infectious respiratory illnesses like RSV, pneumococcal disease, or whooping cough.
- Watch for symptoms. Symptoms of respiratory illness can include cough, fever, shortness of breath, and sore throat. Seek medical advice early if these symptoms appear, especially in older adults, young children, and anyone at increased risk for severe illness because of chronic medical conditions.
- Access treatment. Antiviral drugs can help treat and flu, lessening symptoms and lowering the risk of hospitalization, especially for people at higher risk for serious illness. They are prescription-only treatments that must be given early in illness, so it’s important to be prepared and act quickly when the first symptoms appear. Talk to a healthcare provider to determine if an antiviral treatment is an option for those you are caring for.
- Stay informed. Follow the (CDC) for the latest information on respiratory illness season and talk to your health care provider for answers to any questions you may have.
Caregivers are encouraged to visit the CVEEP website () and NAC website (caregiving.org) for additional information and resources.
