Ensure senior safety by considering these questions before arranging for elective medical procedures.The COVID-19 pandemic put our world on pause, including, among many other activities, healthcare appointments and procedures. As a matter of fact, approximately half of all adults either canceled or delayed routine medical care and elective treatments since the coronavirus crisis began, leading medical professionals to grow worried about the effects.
As we tentatively aim for a new normal, it’s beneficial to speak with your health care provider about any procedures you might have been contemplating pre-pandemic, and to get answers to these particular questions so that you can measure the safety of doing the procedures now.
- Is the healthcare facility where I will be taken care of also treating COVID-19 patients, and are the same medical team members who will care for me also taking care of the COVID-19 patients? If so, what precautions are in place to guarantee my safety?
- What are the facility’s cleaning/disinfecting protocols?
- Will I need to be tested for COVID-19 before my treatment?
- Are medical faculty being tested for COVID-19? If that’s the case, how frequently?
- Do I need to wear a mask? Gloves? Any other personal protective equipment?
- Are there any items that are restricted from being brought with me, such as clothing, books, a phone or laptop?
- Can I fill out paperwork in advance?
- May I wait outside or in my car until I’m called in for my procedure?
- Can a member of my family or caregiver accompany me?
- Is follow-up provided in person, or may I make use of telehealth?
There are also post-procedure considerations to consider. Many people face concerns with the possibility of contracting COVID-19 after staying in the hospital, so consult with your medical professional about the need to self-monitor for symptoms, as well as for tips about any extra precautions you might take, such as avoiding contact with other people for a certain amount of time, wearing a mask or gloves in the home when others are there, extra sanitizing measures to take, etc. The doctor may recommend taking your temperature and oxygen levels in the home. If that’s the case, make sure you obtain a thermometer and pulse oximeter.
As soon as you are satisfied with the answers you’ve received along with the assurance that the procedure is safe to schedule, get in touch with JFS Care, a trusted provider of Jewish family services home health care in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas who are dedicated to ensuring senior safety and wellbeing. Our transitional care services can help make sure things are taken care of before, during, and after your procedure, including transportation, picking up groceries and prescription medications, helping you get settled in back at your home and monitoring for any variations in condition, and more. Need more information or our Jewish family services home health care? Connect with us any time at (213) 383-2273 to learn more or view our full service area here.