The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended several steps to protect people from contracting the COVID-19 virus. Two of those things are washing hands and disinfecting surfaces. These steps may not seem difficult, but many people don’t do them correctly so that they are effective in eliminating germs.
Proper Steps for Hand Washing
Hand washing is important in protecting seniors from the COVID-19 virus because germs can be transferred from hands into the body when the older adult touches their face. The CDC recommends washing hands at these times:
- Before, during, and after cooking.
- Before eating.
- After using the bathroom.
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
There are five steps involved in thoroughly washing hands. They are:
- Wet hands with clean running water (the temperature doesn’t matter) and apply soap.
- Lather all parts of the hands, including the backs and between fingers.
- Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds. That’s about as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
- Thoroughly rinse hands under running water.
- Dry hands using a clean towel or by air-drying them.
Seniors may also need to apply lotion often after washing hands since their skin dries out easily. Since they are likely washing hands more often during the pandemic, it might be a good idea to keep a bottle of hand lotion near the sink.
How to Disinfect Surfaces
To prevent germs from being transferred from frequently touched surfaces, the CDC suggest disinfecting them often.
Frequently touched surfaces include:
- Tables
- Hard-backed chairs
- Doorknobs
- Light switches
- Phones
- Tablets
- Remote controls
- Keyboards
- Handles
- Toilet
- Sinks
If the surface is visibly dirty, it should be washed with detergent or soap before disinfecting it. Afterward, use an EPA registered cleaner for disinfecting and follow the instructions on the label. Bleach is also an effective disinfectant. It should first be diluted with water. To make a bleach solution, mix one-third cup of bleach with a gallon of water.
How Elderly Care Can Help
Elderly care can assist with both of these important steps for protecting your older family member from the COVID-19 virus. An elderly care provider can remind the elder adult to wash their hands often. They can also observe the senior while they wash to ensure they are doing a thorough job. In addition, elderly care can disinfect surfaces in your loved one’s house regularly, using whatever disinfectant cleaner the senior prefers or a bleach solution.
