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[Dorothy]

Does she have a phone designed for the hard of hearing? My aunt had one, it was actually easier to speak to her on the phone than shout at her in the flesh (refused to wear hearing aids).

No, because her hearing is perfect - there are just lots of problems with the phone lines 

So, turned up this morning with my own mug for tea, dropped my coat on the doormat so I didn't bring it into the flat, just in case, washed my hands like mad, sat over 2 metres away for a chat and then told her I was going shopping.  "oh, I'm coming with you"  Major argument but I had no way of preventing her from actually leaving the house.  So all I could do was ensure she walked well away from me and fortunately did convince her not to come into any shops (apart from the bookshop, where she spotted an elderly friend, also in poor health  )  I was hopping mad - a morning booked off work (when I'm short of money anyway) and a 90 minute round trip, all to save her going out, and then she goes out anyway!

Her town was filled with elderly people, people in wheelchairs...all carrying on as normal. I give up.

[sheila99]

 
Parents! They just won't do as they're told 
Ours is a little easier, she's too decrepit to negotiate the farm track so she can only go out when someone takes her.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies

Just like  Stellajane we are not in this position anymore but my heart goes out to you all.

Our town was also full of old people going about their usual business. On the one hand I don't blame them but of course they are taking  a risk and possibly spreading the virus. I know several very lively and healthy over seventies whose mental health would suffer if they can't go out.

I think this thread is a good idea but I am also worried about young people  who won't be able to socialise if all their entertainment venues close down. Working from home can also be a lonely experience at any age.

Wishing you all well.

K.

[CLKD]

It's not transferred in breathing on someone as first thought.  It may be transmitted that way but is more likely to be passed by surface contamination. 

Also if people have been visiting relatives etc. any Germ may well have been passed on.  Hand washing in hot soapy water, surface cleansing ... steering wheels, door handles into and out of shops though I forget earlier 

I think a certain age group have a couldn't care less attitude, after all they came through the War ........ as well as "I've had my Life Dear"  and if your Mum wants to go shopping it's at least company.  I don't know what the distance might be as it's in metres !

Young people will be fine.  They have gadget which are glued to their ears  .

This is about elderly relatives.  Also, mine wouldn't listen anyway because I am her daughter 

[CLKD]

That's been pointed out in the press today, how to diffuse personal issues.

[Dorothy]

Parents! They just won't do as they're told 
Ours is a little easier, she's too decrepit to negotiate the farm track so she can only go out when someone takes her.

To be fair, I'm now wondering if some of them felt they had little choice, since I came home to see on our local FB Coronavirus support group, a plea from an elderly couple who are self isolating, have no family to help and who have been told the soonest ANY supermarket can deliver to them is 30th March - and they had no food in the house.  Fortunately, thanks to the group, they now have sufficient food to last them for the next two weeks, but otherwise, their choices would have been go out and shop or starve for two weeks!  And many others their age may not have internet access to ask for help! 

[CLKD]

The power of the internet!

[jillydoll]

I/we look after my OHs mother. She has vascular dementia.
She doesn't go out unless OH takes her.
So, we are all being scrupulously clean, and cautious.
We do everything for her, except her washing, which she still manages to do herself. Even tho it's very minimal.
She's 72. Very frail, and unsteady.
It just wouldn't take much, if you know what I mean.

[Hurdity]

I distrust government advice, they've changed their minds too many times to be believable. We don't know when a person becomes infectious, is it really only when they develop symptoms or could it be before? The outbreak in Italy started from someone who didn't know he had it. And surfaces - he is handling her pills. If there are bugs in his breath they have to land somewhere, and I don't think we really know how long they live for. A health worker is (rightly) protected with full ppi and face mask, yet on old person won't catch it with an infected person in their home as long as they're 6 feet away? It  doesn't add up. Agree about the loneliness though.

Research shows that it is before, from what I've read - which is partly why it has spread so fast - many people are out and about shedding viruses before they know they're infected. This is partly driving the current strategy to try to limit the wanton spread of this thing I imagine.

I have a very elderly close relative (90's) living in her own house still and I am only visiting her to go for a walk with her or help her with her gardening (when the weather warms up). Will not go inside. Fortunately she doesn't need any care and still drives (eek!).  Before the restrictions I advised her to stock up a couple of weeks ago in anticipation of all of this and heled her with that. She drives to the next village to shop at local village store but keeps her distance and is scrupulous about washing her hands.

It's NOW  and over the next few weeks especially that we need to be VERY strict about social distancing as we really don't know who is incubating it - especially since chief scentific advisor suggests there could be 50K infected. We won't begin to see a slowing of the rate of increase in cases from this pandemic in UK for at least 2 - 3 weeks after the measures were introduced until they start to show an effect.

Did I read somewhere that the very elderly may have greater immunity then just ordinary older people  - perhaps they have been exposed to similar coronviruses or something in their long lives or their longevity is due to very robust immune system? Might be way off beam there?

Yes fantastic load of help groups being set up in all communities -  mainly through FB which elderly people don't tend to use - but at least their younger relatives can help them to access the vast amount of volunteer help out there.

Hurdity x

[sheila99]

I know exactly what you mean jillydoll. My MIL won't survive it either. One worry less, we've decided to take DD out of school. It seems many other parents have already made the decision. Rumour has it they will shut at the weekend anyway. Just hope she isn't already infected - she might regret it, she will be running the farm if we're ill!

[Dorothy]

Yes fantastic load of help groups being set up in all communities -  mainly through FB which elderly people don't tend to use - but at least their younger relatives can help them to access the vast amount of volunteer help out there.

Hurdity x

Our local group is a Facebook based one, but a local printer has printed off a load of leaflets & they are organising a distribution rota, to try to leaflet as many households in the town as possible - they've also put notices up in shops, GP surgeries etc, to try to ensure that those with no internet access are informed of who to call for help.

The church I attend is also leafleting their surrounding streets to offer help, especially as all services & events have now been cancelled - only problem with that is that by the time we take out the over 70s and those who have, or live with those who have compromised immune systems, there aren't many of us left.  We have an incredibly high number of families dealing with cancer, MS etc, etc.

[CLKD]

I think that the postcard/ribbon system should be liaised through GPs and District Nurses.  Also people need to not throw the postcards away initially in case they require assistance further down the line  . 

It's the over 70s that are being asked not to interact with others.  Some stores have opened up specific times for those age groups to buy items as it is almost impossible to get a delivery slot.  The important issue remains: wash down surfaces.  This is what I would expect the Store managers to instigate now that it is known that the virus lives on hard surfaces for several days if left alone.

[Ju Ju]

My dad managed to get to his surgery to get his head dressed. He had skin cancer on top of his head last year and the skin graft has refused to heal, so he has to get it dressed twice a week. He's been really poorly with sickness and diarrhoea, so unable to attend for a a couple of weeks. The surgery was virtually empty and the nurse was waiting for him. They have got rather fond of him it seems. He's been reassured that he will be visited by one of the nurses once a week and given plenty of dressings for mum to apply. She can't put whatever they put on it though. Dad's 94. Their neighbours have stepped up looking after them it seems. Even their plumber has rung to see how they are! People are so kind. I've taken to ringing every day as I can't visit.

[CLKD]

It's also contact isn't it?  Someone to say 'It's OK I will do it for you'. 

[CLKD]

PF - I think it's a bit insensitive 4 the Care Staff to get your Mum to wave at you without being able to make contact  .  Makes you both unhappy.  Did you ring to see how she is today?   Hopefully the Care Home will have a good sanitising system in place for Staff and residents!