Vaccination Tips and After Care for Seniors
Long-term care infection rates are getting lower, giving way hope for some normalcy soon. However, we still have a ways to go. As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to a broader range of the population, seniors and their families need to understand what that means, what to expect after their vaccination, and how the guidance will affect Senior Living and Memory Care communities.
After getting the vaccine
After receiving the vaccine, seniors may experience side effects and should plan to maintain COVID safety protocols until their community is fully vaccinated. Possible side effects include pain or swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, tiredness, and headaches. These side effects are typical and should go away in a few days. Call your healthcare provider if symptoms don't go away or the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours.
Note: A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last recommended dose of vaccine.
Safety: Masks and social distancing
As some amenities re-open, we must continue talking about safety and finding creative ways to interact while still making wise decisions. This is a great time to engage in more outdoor activities, socially distanced activities, dine in "pods," call ahead, and reserve time slots at restaurants and sightseeing. Just make sure you are masked and observing all social distancing guidelines.
Visiting loved ones
New guidance from the Department of Social Services states that visitors will now be allowed indoor visits at resident apartments. This is excellent news, but there are several rules to be aware of:
A maximum of 4 visitors per resident
The door to your loved one's apartment must be closed during your visit
No guest is allowed to visit the common areas such as the dining room, living room, etc
Visits still need to be scheduled because there is a requirement that no more than 25% of residents have visitors at one time. Each scheduled visit is limited to one hour.
Appropriate etiquette
Please continue to wear a mask in public and follow other methods of preventing the spread of COVID-19. The vaccines do not offer 100% protection to the recipient, and it is unclear whether you can still spread the virus to others after you've been vaccinated. Residents will continue to receive COVID-19 tests regularly. As we monitor community spread locally, we will continue to test as long as the disease is present.
Here's a tip: Sign up for V-Safe today! This free, smartphone-based tool uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after receiving the vaccine. It also reminds you to get your second dose if you haven't already.
Remember, you can encourage vaccine confidence by spreading safety information and practicing appropriate hygiene, social distancing, and guidelines as they roll out. We will get through this together!