Create a Covid-19 care package for the elderly

How to create a coronavirus care package for older people

Home care provider Helping Hands, which has a branch in Rochdale, has put together a useful guide on creating a coronavirus care package as we all have neighbours, friends and loved ones who will need additional support during this difficult time of social distancing.

Here are a few things you can provide for them to enable them to stay safe and well at home during the Covid-19 outbreak:

Basic household items

You could prepare a small pile of household ‘must-haves’ to support them with keeping their house clean and minimise the risk of infection. This could include items such as hand wash, toilet roll, kitchen cloths, anti-bacterial spray and toilet cleaner.

Medication/painkillers

If you have an elderly friend, neighbour or loved one who needs regular medication, you could arrange to collect a bulk order on their behalf to ensure that they have enough medication during their period of social distancing.

Food items

Long-life food such as frozen ready meals, tinned vegetables and dry pasta are very easy to prepare into a nutritious meal. Items such as chickpeas, lentils, pulses and frozen fish are full of nutritious proteins to help maintain muscle strength, which is especially important if they are unable to move around as often as they’d like.

Games/puzzle books

Mental health is equally as important as physical health, especially during periods of worry and trepidation. Games and puzzle books such as crosswords, sudoku and word searches are a great distraction from the world outside, as well as being an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Photos/DVDs

Old DVDs or photo albums with family memories recorded are great to remind your loved one of the happy times you’ve shared together. Alternatively, you could find their most-loved films or musicals on DVD to allow them to relive their favourite moments of cinema.