Along with the wonderful things shared in a home–food, conversation, music, games, even pets–there’s also something less pleasant that is easily shared: germs. Sometimes, these germs are brought in by a sick housemate.
I dealt with this last week in my own household. One of my home-mates came down with a virus that involved sinus congestion and a hacking cough. He suspects he caught it from one of his co-workers. Having a sick housemate can be challenging.
I’m generally healthy, with a fairly robust immune system, but I had no desire to catch whatever my housemate had. Taking precautions when living with a sick housemate is important. Some basic precautions were in order.
Simple Precautions That Help
Having adequate private space for each person in a home isn’t just about comfort; it also has health implications. It makes it possible to quarantine or simply give one another extra space when someone falls ill.
In addition to spending last week taking care not to interact too closely with one another, we set a container of Clorox wipes on the counter for a daily wipe-down of shared kitchen surfaces. Moreover, we put basic immune boosters such as chewable Vitamin C tablets and bags of Ginger tea within easy reach in the cabinets for daily use.
Personally, I made sure I got adequate sleep and time outside each day. I’m a big believer in the healthful properties of fresh air, so every day I opened the screened patio door for at least a few minutes. I did this to allow for fresh circulation and let out any stale, germ-filled air. (An air purifier can serve a similar purpose).
We didn’t take the precaution of wearing masks, but those are another helpful tool in preventing airborne germs from getting passed person to person.
Also, never underestimate the germ-killing power of washing your hands with soap and water.
These are all measures that many of us may remember from the COVID-19 pandemic, which are useful any time and for most all types of contagious illnesses.
Little acts of care can make all the difference
As I write this piece lots of little memories surface. I remember housemates who were generous in sharing their medicine cabinet supplies. Whether it was Tylenol, Tums, Vitamin supplements or Band-Aids, not only were the supplies themselves what I needed, but the mere act of concern and “TLC” (Tender Loving Care) can be a real comfort when you feel lousy.
Just last summer I got very sick in the middle of the night, from what was either food poisoning or some sort of 24 hour stomach bug. It was so bad that I had to go to the local 24-hour urgent care clinic. I let my housemate know what was happening and, though she couldn’t drive me there herself, she called me a taxi. I was weak and a little disoriented, but certainly capable of calling my own cab. Still, her small act of kindness was an enormous comfort. It showed that she cared about my well-being and was invested in my feeling better as soon as possible. Being ill in a shared home also means you may need help from a sick housemate or be the one offering help in turn. Being sick is painful, and scary, and really just no fun at all.
When Daily Help Isn’t Enough: Planning for Serious Illness
A housemate can be a tremendous help in daily life, of course–picking up groceries and cooking meals if another housemate is “under the weather.” But, living under the same roof doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the capacity to be another person’s full-time caregiver, if their health should deteriorate due to chronic conditions.
I know that many of the readers and clientele of Sharing Housing Inc are elderly. Do you have a plan in place for what you will do if one member of the household gets to the point where they need a full-time caregiver? This is something I have never had to think about. So, please share in the comments if you have experience or if this is an issue you have dealt with yourself.
A Reminder of Our Shared Vulnerability
Any sort of sickness, especially one that strikes unexpectedly and keeps me in bed and unable to do my usual daily activities, is a reminder of just how vulnerable we human beings all are. We never know when a serious illness or injury might happen. This could cause us to lose our independence and self-reliance. One small measure of insurance is to have others around, under the same roof, to come to your aid when you feel under the weather or are truly levelled. In conclusion, dealing with a sick housemate teaches us the importance of community and care in shared living situations.
Continue Reading: Feeling Comfortable at Home, The Benefits of Shared Housing.
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