Visiting elderly parents

[Pamlaaaa]

My parents have both had Covid 19 and one was hospitalised. Both now home but very elderly and struggling to do basic things.

They want me to go and help them. Is it ok to go down for a week to help them get back on their feet? Will they still be infectious?

Oh god, it's awful but I wouldn't. If they're struggling to cook they can have sandwiches,microwave meals, pot noodles. They really shouldn't consider infecting you.

Don't go .. my mum is on her own but I wouldn't go even if she begged me .. every man for himself at the moment I'm afraid .. I would make sure she had what she needs but I don't think it's wise to put yourself at risk like that !

I will add I have a disabled son so won't risk it but either way if I were you I wouldn't go .

I think it depends when the symptoms started? The NHS advice is to isolate for seven days after that.

I also think it depends on your circumstances and how you get on with them?

On balance I think I would go if they’re old and struggling.

My mum was ill a few weeks ago and I had to go or she’d have needed hospital care. She didn’t have cv and with antibiotics and antivirals she got better a lot quicker than if I hadn’t gone. Amazingly quickly in fact. We were completely isolated there, the doctor had specified I didn’t need to be in quarantine but my son came and dropped off her prescriptions so I didn’t need to go out.
And when she was better and able to cope alone, I came home. All discussed and ok’d with her GP n the local district nurse who wanted me to be there while she was ill to keep her away from the hospital. I do see her every day since I came home and have taken her shopping with gloves and mask. My mum needed me or she would have been as ill as she would if she had cv, so I went. When she didn’t need me any more I had to come home as I’m wfh n needed to return to work. If she does catch cv which hopefully she won’t, I’ll go to her again to be with her and try and look after her.

Caring for people is a risk, nhs staff know that but do it anyway. If your parents won’t recover without your help and end up back in hospital how will you feel? If they are just being needy and should be fine without you then it’s not necessary for you to go. Which do you think it is?

Hi OP - I’m a doctor and a close relative has similarly been discharged from hospital after recovering from CV. I struggled to find any info apart from the Government “self-isolate for 7 days from when symptoms started”. It wasn’t clear to me whether this ALSO applied to severe/hospitalised cases, or whether they might be “more infectious”.

Spoke to my relative’s consultant today, who said I should abide by this rule for people discharged from hospital too - or at least there is no evidence to the contrary. This makes sense to me as a clinician too. My relative commenced symptoms approx 2.5 weeks ago, and he said it’s fine to enter house to care for relative without masks/2m distancing, but obviously observing usual hand washing/hygiene principles.

Relative has had no fever for a week and never has had a cough, to be fair - but yes, a cough alone which is not worsening is very typical for post any respiratory virus, and should not concern you.

Relative is usually self-caring but lives alone, is elderly and has been critically ill, therefore will need some support with food/washing from myself and other relatives for a few weeks, I anticipate.

Can I just add that could not be prouder of the NHS, who have cared for my family fantastically.

@Pamlaaaa I think you would be better ordering ready made food and simple foods rather than going to visit your parents as some time has passed. As if you had COVID-19 (but you was unaware) you could make them poorly again. I have heard you can get it more than once. If you have family at home it would be a high risk.

There was a guy in China. Who had it twice? I'm sure?