PharmEasy Blog

Away From Home? 5 Tips To Support Your Parents During Lockdown!

Worried about your parent’s health during a lockdown? Indeed, the people who have been the hardest hit during the lockdown are senior citizens who live alone. Since it was announced suddenly, air and train services were called off abruptly. Many people living away from home have not been able to return to take care of their elderly parents.

If you are living in another city or state, you must be worried sick about how well your parents are coping with the lockdown. Here’s a list of things you need to do to make things easier for your parents who are home alone during the lockdown.

1. Order their groceries online

Why are the elderly more vulnerable to COVID-19 than youngsters? Because their immune system is weaker. That is why your parents shouldn’t go out at all during the pandemic. If they go to grocery stores, they might be exposed to the virus.

But they need their food supplies. What should you do? Order online of course. Ask your parents to make a list of foods they need. Make sure they put in vegetables, fruits and dairy because these foods are necessary for strong immunity.

Now place the order on any online delivery platform and add the address of your parent’s home. This way your parents will be able to stock up fresh supplies as and when necessary.

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2. You can order medicines online too

If your parents are on medication, they must not miss out on a single dose, especially if they have health conditions like hypertension, diabetes, kidney disorders and heart problems.

Procure a copy of your parent’s medical prescription and order the medicines online. Place a fresh order at least a few weeks before the current stock of medicines runs out. Please remember that like you, thousands are ordering online and there could be slight delays in deliveries during the lockdown.

Ensure that they have basic medicines with them for fever, headache, joint pain, acidity, constipation, antiseptic lotion, nutritional supplements and lots of band-aids.  

3. Purchase other household essentials

It’s not just foods and medicines that your parents will need. They also require-

Purchase these items online in bulk so that they last longer.

4. Cooking gas and bills

You can also place an order for cooking gas cylinders for your parents online.

Many seniors pay bills (electricity, cable) offline. They also go out to get their phones recharged.

But fortunately, thanks to technological advances, all of these can be done remotely and online. So, go ahead and pay the monthly bills for them through mobile apps and recharge their phones online as well.

Giving emotional support with regular phone calls and video calls are also important apart from these in blog. The mental health deterioration in COVID times with depression rates in elderly have increased due to isolation.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

5. Get in touch with volunteer groups

Other than online shopping, is there anything else you can do?

In almost every city, NGOs and volunteer groups are willingly shopping necessities for seniors. If you know of such a group in your parents’ neighbourhood, contact them and give them the list of things your parents need.

If there are essentials you can’t purchase for your parents, these groups may be able to help you.

Supporting your parents to order medicines through online delivery channels and helping them to get the required medical assistance needed by keeping handy a list of essential medicines and contact for nearby hospitals will be helpful in such difficult times.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

What else can you do for your parents?

Now that the essentials are taken care of, you need to think about how you can uplift their spirits.

Your parents, who are alone, would be anxious and worried right now. Stress and anxiety can have negative consequences on their health. So what should you do to cheer them up?

  1. Call them multiple times a day. They should know that you are thinking of them always. Enquire if they are eating healthily, taking their medicines and exercising at home.
  2. If they are familiar with the technology, call them on Skype. Let them know, you will be with them soon.
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3. Transfer money to your parents online for emergencies.

4. Ask your neighbour to visit your parents to check on them.

5. Consult with your family physician to ensure that they are available during emergencies and keep their contact numbers handy.

6. Make a list of all the emergency contact numbers such as the family physician’s number, the ambulance, the fire station number and the local police station number and send a copy to your parents so that they can easily access them in times of need. It is a great way of taking care of your parents.

7. Maintaining good relations with your neighbours since they live the closest to your parents and can come to help if they are in some kind of a problem.

8. Encourage them to adopt a pet if they are up for it. Lockdowns can be testing times when a companion is greatly treasured. Spending time with a four-legged friend improves mood and keeps thoughts of loneliness at bay.

Your parents need your help now. It’s time to be responsible adults and do everything we can for our parents.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.    

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A Complete Guide On MyLab’s CoviSelf Test Kit

Overview

As the second wave of COVID-19 shook the roots of Indian healthcare machinery, some researchers used this disastrous time as an opportunity to prepare a self-testing kit for common people, which they can use to know if they are infected with SARS-CoV-2 or not within the safety and comfort of home in a very short time. The quick results given by CoviSelf will help you seek proper treatment at the earliest, thereby reducing the risk of developing severe illness due to delay in diagnosis and the initiation of treatment.

The self-testing kits, which can potentially release a huge burden off the healthcare system, have now also received a green signal from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

More about the self-test kit

The self-test kit, approved by ICMR, has been developed by a Pune-based molecular company named MyLab Discovery Solutions. The name of the kit is CoviSelf.

It uses a rapid antigen test. In it, the patient just has to take the nasal swab sample, and it will give the result within 15 minutes. It only takes about 2 minutes to carry out the test.

This test kit costs only Rs 250. The manufacturing company currently has a production capacity of 70 lakh kits per week, and they are expecting to expand it to one crore kits per week in the next 14 days. The kit will not only be sold at the local medical stores but also at the e-pharmacies in India.

Aiming to fight against the upcoming waves of COVID-19 with more efficiency, MyLab has also prepared an AI-powered smartphone app to update users about their positive status. They can also submit their report directly to the ICMR for traceability purposes. The app will also tell them what to do next in case of either result.

Who should take this test?

ICMR recommends taking this test only if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have come in contact with a COVID positive patient. If found positive, the patient will not require an RT-PCR test for confirmation, and all the government-specified protocols will be followed for isolation and high-risk contact tracing.

If your result comes out positive, your report will be automatically submitted on the ICMR portal, as the test is in sync with MyLab’s mobile app CoviSelf. ICMR, however, recommends not to take this test in public places.

Moreover, if a person has tested negative but still has symptoms, he/she is recommended to take an RT-PCR test.

What is the self-test procedure?

The self-test kit includes the following: 

Test Preparation:

To begin, the user has to download the CoviSelf app on their smartphone and enter all their details. This data will be saved on a secured server that is directly connected with the ICMR portal, making your test reports available to the government.

All the self test kits are rapid antigen detection kits which have high false negative rates. The definitive diagnosis should always be made by RTPCR.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

 Step by Step procedure to take the test: 

Covid self tests would be helpful ideally 5 days after an exposure to covid virus. If you are negative for the first time you may repeat the test after 48 hours for a total of 3 times.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Know your test results with CoviSelf

You will get the result within 15 minutes of taking the test. In case the result is positive, two lines will appear on the testing card. One line will be on marker “t” for the testing line, and “c” for the quality control line. If the result is negative, there will be only one line at marker “c”.

If the result takes more than 20 minutes to appear or if you can not see any line on marker “c”, then the test is considered invalid.

Benefits of self-test kits – Safe and early detection of COVID-19 infection

Many states in India are currently struggling to get through the second wave of COVID-19, and all of them are preparing to combat the possible third wave, which is expected to affect kids the most.

The exponential spread of COVID-19 not only puts a lot of pressure on the hospitals and treatment centres but also creates a huge burden on diagnostic labs.

The RT-PCR test is considered to be the sure-shot way of diagnosing COVID-19, and with a huge number of cases coming daily, the laboratories were finding it difficult to deliver test results even in 3-4 days. This was causing a delay in the hospitalisation of the patients.

With the introduction of these self-test kits, the COVID-19 management in India can see a huge improvement. It will release a lot of pressure from the limited manpower that has been responsible for collecting the samples, executing the tests and delivering the result.

Using these kits, people can check their status within just 15 minutes, enabling them to get the required treatment in time.

The United States was the first country to approve the use of such self-test kits back in November 2020. California-based Lucira Health had produced this all-in-one rapid result test kit and was approved for emergency use in the US. Europe and South Korea have also approved similar kits already.

Negative arguments against self-test kits

There are certain shortcomings of these self-test kits as well. The biggest of them all is reliability. There are chances of improper sample collection or contamination of swab sticks.

There are high chances of rapid antigen tests showing false-negative results. In that case, a COVID-positive asymptomatic person may turn out to be a super spreader of the virus without even being traced.

Takeaway

On one hand, where the self-test kits can help in easing the pressure on diagnostic labs and hospitals, on the other, over-dependence on this particular method can lead to an even worse situation. Hence, it should only be recommended and used by those who can carry out the guidelines perfectly and interpret the result accurately.

Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute relatively common advice given to patients and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.

COVID-19 – How To Stay Indoors & Remain Engaged?

How are you coping with the 21-day lock-down? If you are an introvert, you must be relieved at the rare opportunity to enjoy some solitude. If you are an extrovert, you may be dismayed that you cannot meet up with your friends. But, we have all accepted that it is the only way that we can eradicate COVID-19. That is why we are dutifully staying home to avoid any exposure to the virus.

The lockdown may keep us safe from the Coronavirus, but it presents us with some unique problems. Have you realized what they are?

The challenges of a complete lockdown!

All of us will face some if not all of these challenges:

  1. We are not getting much exercise. Our movement is curtailed to within the span of our homes.
  2. In these times of uncertainty, we are worried sick about what the future holds for us. Will there be enough food, water and medicines for us? How long do we have to stay cooped up in our homes?
  3. We are anxious about the health of our loved ones who are not living with us.
  4. We feel bored. How much Netflix can one watch?

Let’s face it, staying at home can make us lazy and affect our health! So introvert or extrovert, each one of us has to adopt a few healthy activities so that we can emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown stronger & better than before!

Activities to keep you healthy!

Here are a few suggestions that you may find useful-

It is quite natural for you to feel worried and anxious. This is a crisis without precedent in the 21st century. We don’t know how much damage COVID-19 will do to our country and the world.

But do you know what happens when you cannot control your anxiety? It gives you high blood pressure, insomnia and aggravates existing health disorders. What will happen, will happen and we are all in it together. So you need to be calm.

To help yourself to stay composed, practice yoga and meditation first thing when you wake up in the morning. Yoga will quickly install mastery over negative emotions and meditation will help you keep calm and centred.

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In the first few days of lockdown, you will feel like binge-watching videos on YouTube or Netflix. But soon even that will get boring. So, why not make the most of the opportunity to exercise your brain and keep it sharp and keen?

There are multiple puzzle apps and brain games you can download and play with your family or by yourself. Another productive way to beat boredom and relax your nerves is reading. Fiction, non-fiction, newspapers, journals, whatever captures your fancy just read on.

Are you always complaining about how your work doesn’t allow you to get enough sleep? Well, now you are saving up time by not having to commute to work. Ensure that you sleep for 7-8 hours and wake up with a revitalized body and mind.

Sufficient sleep will rejuvenate your body, repair any internal damages and instil positivity. Sleep is one of the best ways to keep yourself fit – physically and mentally.

Besides, when you eat healthily, you keep your digestion going strong. Staying indoors all day can trigger digestion issues that can be averted with easy-to-digest foods. Healthy eating will also nourish all organs of your body to keep yourself strong and fit throughout lockdown.

Now that you have plenty of time in your hands, why not organize your home? It is also advised to mop your house twice a day with a disinfected or home cleaner. We cannot stress how important it is to keep every square inch of our homes clean because many harmful viruses and bacteria spread in filth. Your health will thank you for your efforts.

For people who exercise outdoors, working out in cloistered spaces can be a nightmare. But that doesn’t mean you can forgo exercise! What should you do instead? Why not try dancing? There are multiple cardio-based dance choreographers that you can find online. Learn the steps and practice them. It is fun, invigorating and extremely good for your body.

If you are living alone in another city for work, then there is a possibility that the lockdown can trigger depression in you. But to prevent that you can deploy WhatsApp video calling and Skype. Talk to your loved ones multiple times a day and spend time together virtually.

Make the lockdown a blessing in disguise. Stay indoors and keep yourself occupied with healthy activities. This is the time to look at the positive side, reinvent ourselves and become fitter and stronger individuals!

You can now assess yourself and your loved ones for Coronavirus risk at home with PharmEasy’s AI-Powered Bot – Covid Assist. Click below.

Covid Assist

Do you feel like you may have the symptoms of Coronavirus? You can now book the Coronavirus Detection Test right from the comforts of your home. Click below.

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Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.