COVID-19 continues to encumber all societies and has forced people to radically change their lives. People are not going out as much, are working or studying from home on online platforms, and much more. The healthcare industry has been forced into overtime, and the illness catalyzed the adoption and development of telehealth media.

However, these changes are secondary to the main threat posed by the illness. It’s an easily transmitted respiratory illness that is particularly lethal for seniors. Since many people with Parkinson’s disease are seniors, COVID-19 can make a Parkinson’s disease patient’s life difficult. Here’s how the two are related.

COVID-19 and Seniors

COVID-19 is a coronavirus, which refers to a family of viruses, such as SARS, MERS, and the common cold. The virus began in China and has since spread across the world. The virus’s symptoms can present as early as two days to as late as two weeks after contraction. These symptoms include fever and shortness of breath.

Though a vaccine is in development, it won’t likely be widely available until the beginning of Spring 2021. According to the CDC, seniors are one of the more vulnerable groups to the virus. The virus’s symptoms can cause pneumonia and death, so taking preventative measures is critical.

Preventative Measures for People with Parkinson’s Disease

Preventative measures for Parkinson’s disease patients fall into two categories: every day and Parkinson’s disease measures.

Everyday Measures

• Regularly washing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.
• Keep hand sanitizers (at least 60% alcohol) on your person when leaving the house.
• Wear an appropriate face cover while going out in public.
• Maintain a distance of at least 6-feet from people in public (and in private if possible).
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes if you’ve touched something outside and haven’t sanitized your hands.

Parkinson’s Disease Measures

• Stock up on your medicines because the virus has led to lockdowns and a strained healthcare system. Both of these have led to medicinal shortages.
• Keep a list of all the medications you need if you need someone else to get them for you.
• Collect all your doctors’ contact information in case of an emergency so that your cohabitants can contact them.

COVID-19 has made life even harder for Parkinson’s disease patients, but you can still get through it. If you’re looking for a Parkinson’s disease specialist clinic in Los Angeles, get in touch with me. My name is Dr. Farzin Pedouim, and I’m a Parkinson’s disease specialist with offices in Los Angeles and Huntington Beach.