covid-19: 1.5 million canadians most at risk
coronavirus poses a significant risk to people who are considered frail.
2 minute read
communities with high numbers of seniors are at risk as covid-19 continues to spread. stock/getty
every few minutes now brings with it another update on covid-19 and with it, worries and precautions. i am 24 years old. if i were to develop the virus, i would likely be fine. the same cannot be said for 1.5 million canadians that are defined as living with frailty.frailty is a state of reduced function and increased vulnerability in people that are aging. while there are many people of advanced age who are able to continue most if not all of their day-to-day functions as they have been, others are not.those who are frail are more likely to have multiple health problems, take multiple medications and don’t recover well from illness. communities with large numbers of seniors are at particular risk right now as the virus continues to spread.dr. john muscedere, an intensivist and respirologist at kingston general hospital and scientific director of the canadian frailty network explains what you can do for the frail in your life.“limiting the number of times those who are frail go out into communities is really important, that means making sure they have plans on how to get groceries or [making sure] they have adequate supplies on hand,” said muscedere. “medications are another important thing to have a supply of or a way to replenish.”and while social distancing and isolation is especially important during this health crisis, the flip side is also planning for ways to keep in touch with those in your life who are considered frail, he says. making sure they have about a month’s supply of cleaning and hygiene products is important as well.“we know risk increases as you get older,” says muscedere, adding that while he expects reports about the details around coronavirus to change, how to prevent it will likely stay the same. that means, of course, washing hands, avoiding social contact and disinfecting surfaces, among other things.given the daily escalation of covid-19, the worst-case scenario for canada’s frail population is not good. it is critical that we take measures to protect them.“a significant number will get really sick and require hospital care,” says muscadere. “many in advanced stages of frailty may not survive. their powers of recovery are reduced and hospital resources — if things ramp up like other parts of the world — will be in very short supply.”
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