Extra Precautions for Older Adults.
Data show that your risk of getting seriously ill
from COVID-19 increases as you get older.
For example, people in their 50s are at higher risk
for serious illness than people in their 40s.
Similarly, people in their 60s or 70s are, in general,
at higher risk for serious illness
than people in their 50s.
The greatest risk for serious illness from COVID-19
is for people aged 85 or older.
Serious illness means that the person with COVID-19
may require hospitalization, intensive care,
or a ventilator to help them breathe,
or they may even die.
Older adults are at high risk
of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19,
and older adults with pre-existing
chronic medical conditions have additional risk factors.
In the United States, eight out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths
have been among adults aged 65 years and older.
Protect yourself and people who live in your household.
If you or members of your family are older and at greater risk
of becoming very ill if you get COVID-19,
you should be extra careful not to come in contact
with anyone who has the virus.
In general, the more people you come in contact with,
the closer the distance you are to them while you are with them,
and the longer the amount of time that you spend with them,
the higher your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.
You should follow the everyday recommended precautions
and take extra steps to protect yourself
and your family members.
When you are around people who do not live in your household,
wear a mask that covers both your nose and mouth
and secure it under your chin.
If people need to be able to see your mouth to read your lips
or see your facial expressions, wear a clear mask.
If you are unable to get a clear mask,
consider using written communication,
closed captioning, or decreasing background noise
to make communication possible
while wearing a mask that covers your mouth.
If you use hearing aids, use a mask that has strings
that tie behind your head, instead of ear loops.
You can also get a button extender for the mask
to attach it behind your head
instead of looping the mask over your ears.
Wash your hands with soap and water
for at least 20 seconds,
especially after you have been in a public place,
or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If you are unable to wash your hands,
use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue
or the inside of your elbow, then wash your hands.
Stay at least six feet away
from people who do not live in your household.
Avoid crowds and stay home as much as you can,
especially if you are not feeling well.
It is important to take care of your health
and monitor yourself for any symptoms of COVID-19.
Make sure your vaccinations are up to date,
including the flu vaccine.
Flu vaccination is especially important for people
who are at high risk for flu.
People with chronic health conditions and older adults
can have more serious cases of the flu.
You can find out if you need other vaccines,
including a COVID-19 vaccine, by asking your doctor or nurse.
Continue any treatment plans you have in place.
Keep a 30-day or more supply of prescription
and non-prescription medicines.
Watch for symptoms, including fever.
In adults aged 65 and older, normal body temperature
can be lower than in younger adults.
For this reason,
fever temperatures can also be lower in older adults.
Call your doctor if you get sick,
think that you may have COVID-19,
or want to get tested.
If you don't have a doctor,
contact your nearest community health center
or health department.
Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing or call 911
if you think it is an emergency.
Hospital emergency departments have prevention plans
to protect you from getting COVID-19
if you need emergency care.
Develop a care plan.
A care plan lists your health conditions,
medicines, healthcare providers, emergency contacts,
and end-of-life care options, for example, advance directives.
Discuss your care plan with your doctor,
and if needed, with help from a family member
or home nurse aide.
Older adult living facilities
require additional considerations and precautions.
To protect friends and family members
living in adult care facilities,
CDC has advised long-term care facilities to restrict visitors.
If visitors are allowed, require or recommend visitors
wear masks over their nose and mouth.
Regularly check healthcare workers
and residents for fevers and symptoms.
Limit activities within the facility
to keep residents safe and distanced from each other.
Remember that following the three prevention steps
to help protect you, your family,
and your community from COVID-19—
wash your hands,
stay at least six feet away from other people,
and wear a mask.
For more ASL videos,
including information on Running Essential Errands,
Planning Safer Outings and Visits,
and Symptoms of Coronavirus, go to the CDC YouTube channel.
For additional information,
please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus.