Hospice East Rand has urged community members living with a life-limiting illness to take care during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hospice East Rand provides palliative care for persons whose diseases are no longer responsive to curative treatment.
Jonquil Siepman, a communications consultant for Hospice, said frail elderly people living with serious underlying chronic and life-limiting illnesses are most at risk from the virus.
“Globally we are in uncharted waters, with new findings of this pandemic daily.
“In this uncertain time we’d like to offer some advice for caring for someone with a compromised immune system,” she said.
The organisation provided the following tips to help reduce the likelihood of a patient or caregiver becoming infected with Covid-19:
Social distancing
During the pandemic patients and caregivers need to ensure that they do not come into contact with anyone who may have been exposed to or who is carrying the virus.
This includes people with a recent travel history or those who display flu-like symptoms.
Increased hygiene
Patients and caregivers must wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and use hand sanitiser frequently.
Ideally, the carer should wear gloves when interacting with the patient and these should be disposed of immediately, followed by hand washing.
Covering your mouth and nose
Patients, family members and caregivers are urged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when they cough or sneeze.
Ideally, masks should be worn by the patient and caregiver and used tissues are to be disposed of as soon as possible.
Touching
Although patients require care, caregivers and patients should stop all unnecessary contact between each other.
“It is a good idea to have a backup plan should you as the caregiver contract the virus.
“Have someone who would be able to take over duties and communicate with that person often to ensure they understand what care is required,” said Siepman.
Siepman assured the community that Hospice’s staff are taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of patients.
“Each staff member is monitored very closely for signs or symptoms of the virus,” she said.
In the event that a Hospice staff member falls ill, a backup team is on standby to provide care and assistance.
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