Advice for any elderly or vulnerable people in lockdown

A printable pdf version is available here.

Think ahead

Discuss with family and closest friends.

• Understand Coronavirus and the advice we have all been given.
• “Stay Home – Protect the NHS – Save Lives”
• Keep washing your hands, even when alone at home – it’s a good habit to learn
• It takes 20 seconds to say the Lords Prayer
  
  Think about your own care –
   
•  If you became ill, at what stage would you want to be admitted to hospital?
•  Would you prefer to stay at home, and if so how would you manage?
• Do you know what isolation means in hospital; you would have no visitors and it would possibly be a lonely place to die.
•  Have you discussed the concept of DNR advance directives – see this NHS link (here)
•  Have you written a will – see this link to a government website (here)
• Write all your personal details, name, address date of birth, including medicines and GP on a personal information sheet
• Write down your next of kin on your personal information sheet

Plan ahead

• What happens if you get ill.
• Leave a key with a trusted neighbour.
• Write their name, address and phone number down on your information sheet
• Consider pets and pet sitter or second home.
• Discuss with your family or friend, and the person who has your key

Live in readiness

What can you do now?

• Use and get used to your mobile phone
• Remember the number – say it to yourself daily! Write it on your information sheet
• Use your phone daily
• Phone your closest friend or family daily, and
• Ask your friends to phone you – maybe allocate different friends to each day?
• Learn about WhatsApp and Zoom if you can. One of your family or friends will know!
• Prepare a small bag
• Pack one now or make a list.
• Practice packing it and know where everything you need is.

Basic bag items might include:

• Some old underwear (which can be binned).
• Basic toiletries
• Basic clothing
• Phone (if have one)
• Phone charger (if have one)
• Bit of money £5 ish?

Your information sheet with personal, key, phone, next of kin information as above