Covid 19 Wave II: Health advisory for senior citizens

COVID-19 has impacted several lives and Wave II is steadily increasing its reach once again. It has brought back to us the memories of hardship and anxiety that we were collectively subjected, and more so the senior citizens staying alone, a year ago.

While Indian Government took stringent actions to contain the spread of COVID-19, including nation-wide lockdown back then, and now localized lockdowns becoming norm across the nation it is Porosh’s duty to remind each one of us that the war against virus has not yet been won. It is a sustained battle against a faceless enemy and hence, we should not let our guard down. It is still critical for each one of us to follow the protocols and take necessary measures and precautions to break the chain of transmission of the disease. Elderly people are at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection due to their decreased immunity and body reserves, as well as multiple associated comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Also, course of disease tends to be more severe in case of elderlies resulting in higher mortality. However, COVID-19 transmission among elderly population can be reduced by taking following measures:

DO’s

1. Stay at home. Avoid meeting visitors at home. If meeting is essential, maintain a distance of one meter.

2. Wash your hands and face at regular intervals with soap and water.

3. Sneeze and cough either into your elbow or into tissue paper/ handkerchief. After coughing or sneezing dispose of the tissue paper/ wash your handkerchief.

4. Ensure proper nutrition through home cooked fresh hot meals, hydrate frequently and take fresh juices to boost immunity.

5. Exercise and meditate. (Porosh founders can help you if you are interested.)

6. Take your daily prescribed medicines regularly.

7. Talk to your family members (not staying with you), relatives, friends via call or video conferencing, take help from family members if needed

8. Postpone your elective surgeries (if any) like cataract surgery or total knee replacement

9. Clean the frequently touched surfaces with disinfectant regularly.

10.Monitor your health. If you develop fever, cough and/or breathing difficulty immediately contact nearest health care facility and follow the medical advice rendered

DON’Ts

1. Do not cough or sneeze into your bare hands or without covering your face.

2. Don’t go near your contacts if you are suffering from fever and cough.

3. Don’t touch your eyes, face, nose and tongue.

4. Don’t go near affected/ sick people.

5. Don’t self-medicate.

6. Don’t shake hands or hug your friends and near ones.

7. Do not go to hospital for routine checkup or follow up. As far as possible make tele-consultation with your healthcare provider.

8. Don’t go to crowded places like parks, markets and religious places.

9. Don’t go out unless it is absolutely essential.

During these trying times the members of Porosh (i.e. the senior citizens) can reach-out to us 24*7. Others may visit our site www.poroshkolkata.org for better appreciation of the of the nature of work we have been doing and then may decide to contact us, if need be so.

COVID 19 Wave II: Porosh is ready, are you?

It is an irony that Covid 19 Wave II in India has coincided almost with the same time as it did last year. Although a year ago we were caught napping and scared about the consequences of a potentially fatal virus yet it appears that take-it-easy attitude by us has brought us back face-to-face with the nightmarish experiences all over again. Having let the guards off we have allowed the virus to hit us back with a vengeance. Naturally, senior citizens, to be very specific, are feeling jittery. The situation is particularly vulnerable for those who have to wage a lone battle against an invisible enemy. It is all the more acute for those whose children, in pursuit of their career, are either settled abroad, or staying in different cities within India.

Under these circumstances, Porosh, given its enormous expertise in dealing with such sensitive situations in the recent past is once again ready to hold the bull by its horns. Porosh’s unique work culture makes it stand out from the rest. The young and dynamic founders lead the team from the front in the field. Such is the reputation of the team that last year Pronam, a Kolkata Police initiative for assisting senior citizens, regularly referred distressed individuals regularly to Porosh for medical and non-medical assistance ta home.

Contributions of Porosh prompted The Indian Express to publish an independent article on Porosh on October 1, 2020 on the occasion of ‘World Elderly Day’. This was shortly followed by an interview of one of the co-founders by a Bengaluru based start-up.

The section on VoC (Voice of Customer) is replete with rave reviews about Porosh’s work ethics and its response to customer issues.

Fruits for beating summer

Have you ever wondered why senior citizens are at a higher risk of dehydration and heat strokes?

This is because, as we age, our body’s capacity to absorb water decreases as compared to that of a younger person. Seniors are also often less likely to recognize their thirst or understand when they are becoming dehydrated. If you are a caregiver, it is important to make sure that your senior is drinking enough water especially when the temperature is high, and the summer sun can drain their energies easily.

Here are a few tips for you to protect yourself from the summer heat:

· Wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing during summers

· Avoid going outside during the day as much as possible

· Use SPF sunscreen protection if you are heading outside

· Watch out for warning signs such as high body temperature, nausea, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, or confusion

· Eat fruits and vegetables that are rich in water content

As we all know, 60% of our body is made up of water. There is no doubt that every system in our body requires water to function properly. Water plays a vital role in performing various functions for the body such as, regulating the body temperatures, eliminating the harmful toxins, carrying essential nutrients and oxygen to the cells, and providing a moist environment for the body tissues and joints to function effectively.

An effective way to help your body absorb sufficient water is by eating vegetables and fruits that hydrate your body, especially those which have rich water content. To satisfy the nutrient requirement in your body it is essential to eat fruits and vegetables that have high water content. These fruits and vegetables can provide sufficient fluids to keep your body nourished and healthy.

Eating vegetables and fruits rich in water content can help satisfy nutrient recommendations and keep you hydrated. If you don’t drink the recommended amount of water in a day, fruits and vegetables can provide you with supplemental fluid, keeping you nourished and healthy. Water-rich fruits and vegetables are popular choices for juices, smoothies, and snacks.

So now the question is which fruit have more water content?

a) Mango (water content upto 83%) We know how much you love mangoes and they are undoubtedly our favourite part of the summer season! Mangoes are not only our favourite appetizing fruit but is also used in a lot of desserts. Don’t you love a glass of mango shake on a sunny day? Known as the King of fruits and why not? Mangoes are great in aiding digestion. They are loaded with antioxidants and can, therefore, boost immunity. They lower cholesterol and promote eye health. All these factors make mangoes one of the best fruits in summer.

b) Apple (water content upto 86%): We all believe in the wise words “An apple a day keeps a doctor away” and without a doubt it does! A popular fruit during almost all seasons, apple is delicious and nutritious. Add them in your salads, smoothies, pies desserts, or eat them as a snack, apples never disappoint you. Apples are known to boost metabolic levels, improve heart health, and regulate blood sugar levels. They are loaded with ample vitamins and minerals to promote healthy bones, teeth, and skin.

c) Pineapple (water content upto86%): This delicious and juicy fruit is a favourite of many for its rich flavour some taste. Pineapples are a great source of Vitamin C which is essential to fights against cell damage and for boosting your immune system. The high manganese content of pineapple improves bone health. It also has high fibre content and is loaded with antioxidants.

d) Oranges (water content upto 87%):Oranges are a favourite fruit of those who love working out, the reason being that this fruit hydrates and energizes your body which is a must during workouts. Oranges have multiple health benefits like reducing cholesterol, improving heart function, and being a rich source of Vitamin C, they enhance skin health.

e) Papaya (water content upto 89%): This fruit is extremely rich in Vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants. Adding papaya to your diet can prevent cholesterol build up in your arteries, boost immunity, and can be an excellent source of Vitamins for people with diabetes and someone who wants to manage their weight.

f) Watermelon (water content upto 92%): An absolute favorite of many during the summer season, watermelon is not only a delicious fruit, but it is also loaded with abundant nutrients. With a water content of about 90%, this wonder fruit helps in preventing the risk of heart diseases. Watermelon also helps in the production of amino acid arginine, which helps boost the immunity system.

There are various other fruits which are rich in water content. However, our focus has been to pick-up only those which are easily available in India and also not too expensive. Hope this week’s contribution from Porosh for the senior members of the society will help in generating necessary awareness.

(Adapted from ’15 water rich fruits to keep you hydrated during summers’ published in www.seniority.in)