Older adults (65 years and over) and people of all ages with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for developing a more severe illness from COVID-19. Underlying medical conditions include diabetes, lung disease, asthma, heart conditions, and diabetes.

What You Can Do to Prepare

• Continue your medications and do not change your treatment plan without talking to your doctor.
• Have at least a 2-week supply of prescription and non-prescription medications. Talk to your doctor, insurer, and pharmacist about getting an extra supply (i.e., more than two weeks) of prescription medications. This will help to reduce trips to the pharmacy.
• Do not delay routine or emergency care for your health condition. Vermont health care practices have measures in place to protect patients from getting COVID-19 when they need care. This includes offering video appointments at home and separating patients with COVID-19 from others for in-person appointments.
• Call your doctor if you have any concerns about your medical conditions or if you get sick and think that you may have COVID-19. If you need emergency help, call 911.

Visit the Vermont Department of Health for more on how to protect yourself and others.

Coping with Stress

People at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19 are also more likely to feel a lot of stress. Staying safe at home can also add to feelings of isolation. The effects of stress can show up in the body (headaches or stomachaches) and in the mind (trouble concentrating). Keeping up with healthy routines, such as eating a wide variety of foods, physical activity, and safely staying in touch with friends and family, can reduce stress and help you feel better.

My Healthy VT workshops can help. We now offer online workshops so you can stay safe at home. Our workshops will support you to:

• Solve problems and create plans for action and change
• Learn about nutrition
• Get more physical activity into your daily life
• Reduce stress and stay motivated
• Get small group support from your peers
• Register for an online workshop today.

Visit the Vermont Department of Health for more tips and resources to cope with stress.

Extra Food Help

The State of Vermont, Vermont Foodbank, National Guard, Vermont Agency of Transportation, and other partners have set up food distribution sites across the state for those in need.

My Healthy VT workshops can help. We now offer online workshops so you can stay safe at home. Our workshops will support you to:

• Register online or call 2-1-1.
• When you arrive at the site, open your trunk, and the appropriate amount of food will be loaded by members of the Vermont National Guard.
• If you are sick, have been asked to quarantine, or lack transportation, you can ask a friend or family member to register and pick up meals for you.

Visit the Vermont Emergency Management website or call 2-1-1 for more information on food sites.

Find more food help on our website at Other Resources.

Vermont Department of Health
University of Vermont Health Network
American Diabetes Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)