Senior citizens in India. Elderly Care during COVID – 19 pandemic has posed the greatest challenge in taking care of their physical and mental health. Dr. Kushilab Bose – Director, medical operations, Healthspring explains how they ensured uninterrupted services to elders.
The outbreak of COVID-19 was unprecedented and has badly affected all the age groups across the globe. The elderly is at a greater risk, and those with pre-existing problems are most vulnerable. This pandemic has posed the greatest challenge in taking care of their physical and mental health.
Elderly people rely a lot on social connections. They also need helping hands in carrying out their daily chores. Their daily walks, chat sessions have all stopped due to this pandemic, which have made them even more anxious and lonely. As an organization our motto was to bridge these gaps and ensure uninterrupted services in taking care of their physical and mental health.
1. Preparing the elderly for pandemic: our first step was to make our elderly customers aware about this pandemic. We ensured they receive correct information and were able to handle themselves while being at home. We issued an advisory to the elderly and created exclusive Flu kits so that the common flu and cold could be easily managed at home.
2. Availability of specialist consultation for patients with other co-morbidities. Our team of specialists like cardiologist/urologist/neurologist were available on call for our elderly patients.
3. Emotional and moral support- we worked as a bridge between the elderly and their children who were away, by updating about their parent’s health through whatsapp, email & phone calls.
4. Our doctors were also instrumental in counselling the emotionally fragile patients and boosting their confidence. We helped them in seeking support from Psychiatrists/psychotherapist as and when required by arranging video consultations.
5. Home care services- we facilitated availability of qualified, trained and experienced home care attendants and nursing staff whenever required through our outsourced agencies. Our doctors supervised their care through home visits &whatsapp groups. We also continued home blood collections for these customers in addition to regular doctor & nurse home visits
6. Vaccination- Flu and Pneumonia shots were recommended and administered to protect them against other deadly infections
7. Easy to use medical devices and equipment- patients were encouraged to buy medical devices like pulse oximeter, BP monitoring device, glucometer, thermometer, oxygen concentrator etc. We trained them on their usage and their readings were monitored regularly. This helped us in planning their continuum of care more effectively.
8. COVID testing and management- we arranged RT-PCR testing at home through outsourced labs whenever suspected. In case of positive patients, we manage them at home through our home isolation services with close monitoring or even hospitalization as and when required.
9. We also checked the fitness of their helpers and maids before they joined duties. We did baseline investigations of these helpers along with physical examination and consultation by the general physician. We also conducted COVID antibody test and RT- PCR test as and when required
10. 24×7 Emergency Medical Services- in addition to regular center consults and home visits, out team efficiently responded to medical emergencies by home stabilization or hospitalization whenever necessary. Our strong connect with a vast consultant network and tie-ups with ambulance services ensured in timely transport arrangements and availability of hospital bed during the crisis services.
Dr. Kushilab Bose – Director
Medical Operations – Healthspring
