In the early days of isolation, I welcomed deliveries of medicinal supplies such as ibuprofen, paracetamol and throat lozenges. Other useful items may include a thermometer to check for signs of a fever, and masks and rapid antigen tests, particularly when COVID-positive members of a household are isolating from others in the house.
Patients with COVID should stay hydrated, says Luckraj. Add electrolyte drinks or a box of tea with soothing ingredients like honey and chamomile to your care package.
Food and drink delivery
Wise people among us have already prepped their pantry with long-life milk, packets of pasta and tins of lentils in readiness for a COVID-positive result. Everyone else – me included – will embark on their seven days of isolation with a half-empty bottle of milk in the fridge and some sad bananas slowly going black in the fruit bowl.
A delivery of essentials like bread, milk and coffee can be a lifeline during isolation. Cooked meals are particularly handy to have in the fridge or freezer, especially at the peak of an illness when the idea of preparing a meal is too hard. It doesn’t have to be homemade – if you’re short on time, there are plenty of businesses that can deliver pre-prepared meals. In a pinch, send a voucher for a food delivery service like Uber Eats or DoorDash.
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Managing mental health
“Being in isolation is an unfamiliar experience for most people,” says Luckraj. “It is difficult to be separated from our loved ones and lose our usual social connections due to the pandemic. People can feel isolated or struggle to cope.”
Some people may worry about their COVID infection’s impact on work, finances or housing. Others “may be dealing with family-related issues such as difficult living situations, risk of domestic abuse or worries about loved ones’ safety,” Luckraj says.
“Keep in touch with family or friends who are in isolation via phone, video calls or social media. Check up on them each day to ensure their health and wellbeing is not deteriorating.”
My kids loved playing games of Kahoots via Zoom with their buddies during last year’s lockdown, while I found doing the weekend quiz with friends over a video call almost as good as in-person (almost!). During our isolation in January, friends and family dropped off books, art and craft supplies and jigsaw puzzles to help wile away the time and coax the kids away from Minecraft.
Levi organised Zoom catch-ups between his kids and their friends during their week of isolation. “Staying at home with the family for seven straight days was hard,” he says. “Having that social engagement broke the monotony.”
If you are concerned about someone’s mental health, point them in the direction of COVID-19 mental health resources and support services, which you can find at Healthdirect’s COVID-19 and mental health webpage.
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How to help a friend or relative with COVID
Source: Philippines Alive
