Experts on aging launch virtual information session on coronavirus and the disease it causes, COVID-19

March 17, 2020

The University of Louisville Trager Institute has launched a comprehensive virtual information session that addresses pressing questions about COVID-19, with particular focus on older adults and individuals with chronic diseases.

The interactive info session can be viewed on the Zoom platform at: https://zoom.us/j/884298617. To learn how to access a Zoom meeting, click here.

“As most of us have heard by this point, older adults and individuals with serious chronic diseases such as respiratory conditions, heart disease and diabetes are at elevated risk for serious cases of COVID-19. Given the expertise of our leadership team in the areas of older adult health and chronic disease management, we want to provide practical advice and guidance for people who are scared and concerned for their safety and health,” said Anna Faul, PhD, executive director of the UofL Trager Institute.

This session addresses the following pressing questions:

How best to protect yourself from getting the virus
What to do if you think you have the virus
How to prepare for quarantine
How to address the anxiety that may arise because of the pandemic
How to care for older adults who may be quarantined in nursing homes
How to combat loneliness during quarantine and social distancing
How to care for chronic illness during this pandemic
How to maintain your weight and physical activity
How to handle lost earnings
How to prevent coronavirus-related scams

This session is recorded from the live March 17 event and available for distribution.

“Even though older adults and persons with chronic diseases face greater risk relating to COVID-19, there are simple precautions all of us can take to keep ourselves, our families and our communities as healthy and resilient as possible. If you are high-risk it is important to take proactive steps now to try to prevent the disease – such as washing your hands, avoid touching your face, avoiding crowds and non-essential travel – as well as developing safety plans in the event of quarantine or illness,” said Christian Davis Furman, MD, medical director of the UofL Trager Institute.

Important COVID-19 resources:

Julie Heflin

Julie oversees digital content for the Office of Communications and Marketing. She began her UofL career on the Health Sciences Center campus in 2007. Prior to this, Julie was a journalist with WFPL (Louisville Public Media), and occasionally filed reports for National Public Radio.