Bluegrass Extended Care: COVID Co-morbidities

C1 3 lyssa- host: today on ask the expert, we are here at bluegrass extended care, and i'm here with dr. john richard.

Dr.richard, thank you so much for being with us again.

Dr. richard: lyssa, thank you.

Lyssa- host: so today, we want to talk about, we've talked a lot about covid and the symptoms and treatment methods,but now, let's talk about the comorbidities that are attached with that as well.

You and i had talked a little bit about, once somebody is cooped up in their house, and not even those with covid, all of us have been social distancing and all that, it really does lead to a lot of other issues too.

So let's talk about that.

Dr. richard: yeah.

We've seen a lot of changes in people's mood and psyche through the covid, a little bit of paranoia, of course, initially, and then the anxiety that's included in that,because you're afraid you might get it or give it to somebody, your family,your grandparents, or something like that.

Dr. richard: we've seen lots of children with anxiety too, because now they're cooped up more, not able to go out and do the things that they normally do.

That's really kind of affected all of us in some ways, but even the children.

I think with the changes we're going to see with school and the new ways that we're going to teach and learn, it's going to be interesting with that.

Dr. richard: and then there's some depression.

We have some shut-ins, some people who weren't seeing a lot of people to begin with, but now they can't see.

They can't see their daughters or their sons, might be over the age of 75 or 80, and so we see a lot of depression as well.

Depression also in the younger people though, because they're not able to go see their mom, not able to go make the contact, make the touch that they need to do.

So we've always struggled with that as a society,now with this as well.

Lyssa- host: and what do you recommend for those folks?

They know.

They know that they're not feeling right.

They know they're not themselves.

What do your recommend for them then?

Dr. richard: well obviously, the first thing i think is to recognize that something's not right, like you said.

And then, probably have a little discussion.

Of course, now with cellular phones or maybe facetime or things like that, maybe they can do some, at least an engagement,that way.

But probably seeing somebody and talking to somebody about your anxiety may be helpful too, maybe a counselor, maybe seeing a physician and getting medication.

Dr. richard: i think one of the things we've seen also is people have neglected themselves somewhat, physically,during this period of time.

They haven't maybe got the refills on their blood pressure medicine or taken their diabetic medication appropriately, because they've just kind of got lax about it and been worried about other things.

Dr. richard: i want to make sure that they do contact their physicians and get their refills, and if, indeed, their physician's not seeing patients or they're concerned in some way, they can always do a virtual visit, maybe where they make a phone call in.

They do a facetime or one of the other zoom meetings or whatever, and with that, they can get their refills and also can get that visit in, where we can watch, just to make sure that their chronic disease management is being appropriately managed.

Lyssa- host: absolutely.

I mean, that's an excellent point.

A lot of times, we tend to start to neglect taking care of ourselves, and, "oh, i can put off the medication.

I can do all of that."

And really, that's not a good idea for any patient, i assume.

Dr. richard: no, it's very important that you continue with your chronic disease management during this pandemic.

Lyssa- host: right, right.

Thank you so much for the info.

We really appreciate it.

Dr. richard: thank you, lyssa.

Thank you for your time.

Lyssa- host: mm-hmm