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Page 15 OLDER ADULTS & PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS COMMON QUESTIONS Common Questions and Answers About COVID-19 for Older Adults and People with Chronic Health Conditions WWW.NFID.ORG Note: This resource, developed jointly by NFID and the Alliance for Aging Research, will be updated periodically to reflect the latest information about COVID-19. Why are older adults and people with chronic health conditions at higher risk? Older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions including heart disease, lung disease, dia- betes, cancer, and hypertension are at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness and death. This is because our immune systems grow weaker as we age, which makes it more challenging for older adults to fight off infectious diseases. Chronic diseases are more common with age, can compromise the immune sys- tem, and make people more vulnerable to serious com- plications. Because of the rapid spread of COVID-19, the CDC recently issued a warning for people who are at the highest risk for serious illness from the virus. It is imperative older adults and others who are at high risk heed the advice of the CDC. What are the symptoms of COVID- 19 and how is it different from flu and allergies? The main symptoms of COVID-19, which may appear between 2 to 14 days after exposure, include: fever, cough, and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Not everyone with COVID-19 will experience symp- toms, or they may be mild enough that they are dis- missed, but they can still be contagious. These symp- toms can also seem similar to flu and seasonal allergies but there are some differences. When should I call a healthcare pro- fessional? It is important to call a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and begin to develop symptoms. It is impor- tant to call first, so that the clinic or hospital can pre- pare and prevent the spread of infection. How do they test for COVID-19? To diagnose a potential case, healthcare professionals may run tests to rule out influenza and other common infections. Not all healthcare facilities are able to test for COVID-19 at this time. The test involves swabbing the nose and throat, and taking samples of any saliva and mucus that is coughed up. They may also draw blood. Will I have to pay for testing? Indian Health Services states that all of its facilities are capable of testing patients for COVID-19 at no cost.For more information regarding testing call Parker Indian Health Center at (928) 669-2137. For Non-Natives: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking important steps to waive cost-sharing for COVID-19-related testing and treatment to ensure all patients who need it have access to care. How can I best protect myself? COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly between people in close contact with one another through respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes. It may also be trans- mitted when you touch a surface or object with the virus on it, then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes. It is important to avoid people who may be infected. Older adults and those with underlying health condi- tions that can put them at increased risk should stay home to avoid being around others. Nursing homes and retirement and long-term care facilities should halt social visits. The White House advises that all individ- uals avoid: —Gatherings of more than 10 people —Non-essential air travel, and —Cruise ships (Note that major cruise lines have sus- pended trips and others are restricting passengers over the age of 70) For older adults and adults with underlying health con- ditions, the CDC advises taking extra measures to put distance between yourself and others including: —Staying home whenever possible —Considering ways to get food, medicines, and essen- tials delivered to your home This is an important advisory to follow, because there is currently no vaccine available to prevent COVID-19 and no specific antiviral medication to treat it. THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT ILLNESS IS TO AVOID BEING EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS. Proper handwashing is also imperative to preventing COVID-19 infection and spread. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, espe- cially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or being in a public place. If soap and water are not avail- able, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per- cent alcohol. As much as possible, avoid handshaking and touching high-traffic surfaces in public places–for example, elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, or counters. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something. Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc. Although there is no vaccine available to prevent COVID-19 at this time, you should still ensure that you and your family’s vaccinations are up to date, includ- ing influenza (flu) and pneumococcal (pneumonia) vac- cines. This will help reduce the pressure on the health- care system by reducing vaccine-preventable disease. The CDC does not recommend people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symp- toms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for healthcare workers and caregivers who are taking care of individuals in close settings (at home or in a healthcare facility). How can I prepare to be at home for an extended period of time? Public health experts are warning people that it is only a matter of time before the virus appears in local com- munities across the US. Here are some simple ways to prepare: Getting Medicines and Medical Supplies C.R.I.T. Tribal Members call CHR at (928) 669- 6093. or C.R.I.T. DHSS at (928) 669-6577 and they can direct you from there based on your needs. If you have questions, call a healthcare professional at Parker Indian Health Center at (928) 669-2137. Also, be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (fever reducers, tissues, hydrating beverages, etc.) to treat fever and other symptoms. Ordering Groceries Have enough basic household items and groceries on hand so you are prepared to stay at home for an extend- ed period of time. This means you will need to plan ahead. Call DHSS for assistance at (928) 669-6577. If you must go out for groceries, try to find a local gro- cery store that offers hours just for older adults. Most of these hours are earlier in the day and offer a chance for older adults to shop without as much exposure. Remember to stay vigilant with handwashing and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose since the coronavirus can remain on some surfaces for hours and in some cases, days. How can I help loved ones at risk? Everyone has a role to play in reducing community spread. The same recommendations for people at risk should be adhered to by everyone to help protect the more vulnerable in our communities. Businesses, schools, and local and federal government should all work together to mitigate community spread of COVID-19 and help protect older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions. If your loved ones live alone, check on them frequently and find out what services your local programs offer, call C.R.I.T. DHSS for assistance and information at (928) 669-6577. What should I do if I get sick? If you do get sick, first call your primary care physician, or a healthcare professional. Parker Indian Health Center at (928) 669-2137, or La Paz Regional Hospital at (928) 669-9201. Unless you need immediate medical care, you should stay at home to avoid spreading your illness. Stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, and others if you become sick. Determine who can provide you with care if your caregiver gets sick. If you or a loved one needs help, contact your local public health department to connect with caregiving services. If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID- 19, call (928) 669-1277and get medical attention imme- diately. In adults, emergency warning signs include: —Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath —Persistent pain or pressure in the chest —New confusion or inability to arouse and/or —Bluish lips or face What are other reliable resources for the most up-to-date information? ONLINE: www.nih.com www.cdc.gov www.ihs.gov QUESTIONS REGARDING COVID-19? Parker Indian Health Service (928) 669-2137 Red Cross at 1-800-REDCROSS (733-2767) La Paz County Public Health Emergency Preparedness office at 928-669-9364. For residents of Riverside County dial 2-1-1. California Department of Public Health website at https://www .cdph.ca.go \l. For residents of San Bernardino County you can call the San Bernardino County Public Health Department at 800-722-4794 or visit the San Bernardino County website at http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/coronavirus/. • La Paz County Poison Control: 1-844-542-8201 tion. ALL QUESTIONS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS. Call 1-800-985-5990 The Disaster Distress Helpline Updated: March 19, 2020