Caring in Crisis: Conversations with Caregivers
Photo from an article on Periodismo de Barrio. Credit: Hitch
April 17, 2020
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Whether it’s for an elderly parent, grandparent, or young child, we at the Platform – like many of you – have spent a lot of time giving and thinking about care lately. Caregiving has always been the work that makes all other activity possible, and the pandemic adds extra layers of complexity and value to it.
In this week’s edition of Caring in Crisis (#COVID-19), we (1) share the latest updates related to the coronavirus in Cuba, (2) take a look at the issue of aging and care, and (3) feature special advice for caregivers from Cuban specialists. Plus, continue scrolling for our now-weekly feature of musical selections and art.
Cuba and COVID-19
As of today, Cuba has 923 confirmed cases, 2,724 admitted patients with possible infections, 7,373 people under observation in their own homes, and 31 deaths. As community transmission continues to increase, with 20 events of local transmission reported, new areas are being placed in isolation. Older adults and others who are vulnerable to the virus have been added to the groups of people who will receive their salary in full the first month of leave and 60% every month after that for as long as the pandemic lasts. The government also announced new banking measures and the Minister of Commerce has been working to increase the capacity of online stores and delivery services, and to make products usually purchased at farmers’ markets available at the neighborhood bodegas. Local authorities are disinfecting streets and sidewalks and BioCubaFarma companies have added production of protective gear.
Stop Sanctions Against Cuba
US Sanctions continue to impact the country’s ability to receive humanitarian aid or purchase equipment and materials. Recently, the Cuban press reported that the country has been prevented from purchasing ventilators due to acquisition of IMTMedical AG and Acutronic (international companies that previously dealt with Cuba) by the US firm Vyaire Medical Inc.
Medical Internationalism
Another Cuban medical brigade has arrived in Italy. In Brazil, hundreds of Cuban doctors are stranded, unable to practice medicine at the moment they’re needed the most, but still trying to help.
Upcoming Event
On April 23, The Cuba Program and the Institute of Latin American Studies at Columbia University will be hosting “COVID-19 in Cuba: CRISIS and Consequences” on zoom.
Caregiving – The Global Situation and Cuban Context
According to a report by OXFAM, by the year 2030, there will be an additional 100 million older people globally who will be in need of care. The demographic shift is particularly acute in Cuba, which is one of the most rapidly aging countries in the hemisphere, and as a result, also has an increasing incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In Cuba, family members provide the majority of daily care to these people, directly in their homes. As with caretaking of children and loved ones with disability, women have tended to shoulder the majority of this work, though men are now becoming increasingly involved.
Advice Direct From Cuban Experts
We’ve invited several colleagues form Cuba to share their recommendations and analysis related to caregiving during the pandemic. This, week, their responses – featured in the boxes below – touch on the psychological and physical care of elderly loved ones.
Stay tuned next week for reflections on the gendered dimensions of care and self-care; straight from Havana!
Please give an extra thank you today to those in your life who provide care, or some extra kindness to yourself for the work you do to provide it to others.
Be well,
Sarah, Justine, and Mariakarla
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MD, MSc Jorge Llibre Guerra is a neurologist from the Havana School of Medicine and Senior Atlantic Fellow at GBHI. He reflects:
The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic crisis will leave its shadow over mental health in our society, especially in vulnerable populations like those living with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias. Dementia itself does not increase the risk for COVID-19, however, people living with dementia might have difficulties understanding public health information or remembering safeguard procedures. Social isolation and loneliness will also have a toll on those at risk for cognitive decline. In light of these concerns, health care providers and caregivers should pay extra attention to those in more vulnerable situations.
His team's video series, Conversation with Caregivers, includes helpful tips.
MSc Ana Ivis Peñalver Guía, is a neuropsychologist working at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Cuba. She advises:
During the COVID-19 epidemic, people with dementia can have trouble understanding the situation and adapting to the changes in routine resulting from social isolation. This situation can cause them to feel confused and lead to the emergence of psychological and behavior symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or irritability. If you are a caregiver, it would be helpful to do activities together that help reduce anxiety, such as cognitive stimulation activities that are appropriate for the person’s current skills (like puzzles, board games, or looking at old photographs together) or involve the person household tasks of cleaning and tidying up.
Susana Hierrezuelo, PhD is a physical therapist and head of the Department of Functional Rehabilitation at the Center for Research on Longevity, Aging and Health. She recommends:
Aging itself causes an increase in the rate of disability and dependency and being inactive causes fragility, but this can be prevented with exercises to improve functional capacity, breathing exercises, strength lifting with arms crossed from a chair as fast as possible five times, walking around the house for shorter periods of time, balance exercises with open and closed eyes, and flexibility exercises (as long as there is no contraindication) starting with five repetitions up to ten from 15 to 30 minutes Mondays through Fridays.
Conversando con los Cuidadores is a series of short videos developed by Dr. Jorge Llibre with and for caretakers to share practical advice from real family members and caretakers of patients with dementia. An English language description of the project can be found here.
This week's musical selections from Mariakarla:
Cimafunk pays tribute to Bill Withers to remind us we are all in this together: “Palo solo no hace monte” (A single tree does not make a forest).
And from Italy, Andrea Bocelli’s concert at Duomo di Milano was beautiful https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huTUOek4LgU&t=1179s)