Older adults and people of all ages with underlying health conditions are at greatest risk of having serious complications with the novel coronavirus COVID-19. We, at United Church Homes, wanted to help you stay informed about coronavirus during this unprecedented time.

MAKE A PLAN

Click here to view and download the state of Ohio’s COVID-19 checklist for older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions.

ARM YOURSELF WITH RESOURCES

Your county health department or area agency on aging can provide you with local COVID-19 updates as well as other vital resources aimed at helping older adults.

Ohio Fact Sheets and Hotline:

• COVID-19 Checklist for Families and Individuals – Top 5 Things You Can Do to Prepare
• COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Alternatives – Top 5 Ways to Disinfect When Everyday Supplies Run Out
• The Ohio Department of Health’s 1-833-4ASKODH (1-833-427-5634) hotline is open from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days per week.

Watch the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s video on what older adults need to know about COVID-19 here.

If you need assistance and don’t know who to call, reach out to us! To find contact information for the UCH community closest to you, visit our Communities page or contact us here.

FIND RELIABLE NEWS AND INFORMATION

Staying up to date in a rapidly changing environment can be difficult. You may be experiencing information overload and aren’t sure what to believe.

According to Harvard Health Publishing at Harvard Medical School, misinformation about coronavirus is rampant across social media with as many false and misleading posts as factual ones. Additionally, because this is a new virus, health officials are releasing new and updated information daily and sometimes more often. To find reliable information, it’s best to:

• Follow experts who use well-accepted scientific analyses and publish their results in reputable medical journals.
• Seek sources that have a mission to inform and protect the public, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Avoid sources that are promoting or selling a product related to the information.
• Follow local media for information specific to your area.
• Look for unbiased sources who back up claims with statements or firsthand reports from reputable state and national experts.

You can see current Ohio statistics, such as numbers of confirmed cases and persons under investigation, on the state coronavirus website. For those outside Ohio, check your state department of health website. Many states are providing checklists and other resources for individuals and groups, including information for those most at risk of health complications related to communicable diseases. Check back often for updates.