COVID-19 Client Care Update

December 21, 2024

As part of standard training, our care staff is educated in Infection control to ensure proper prevention and protection for the spread of the virus. Our staff is responsible for temperature and symptom reporting prior to each shift. We provide our staff and clients with Personal Protection Equipment and weekly replenishments.

 There is no higher priority for Home Care Assistance than the safety of our clients and employees.

If you or your family is experiencing symptoms (cough, fever and/or respiratory issues such as shortness of breath) contact their physician to seek direction for possible COVID-19 testing and to stay at home until negative test results are received.

What We Know At This Time About COVID-19

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (for short, COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person, mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

Primary Symptoms

Fever, Cough, difficulty breathing, Nausea, Diarrhea, new loss of taste or smell, Headaches or Fatigue.

Required Precautions for Caregivers, Clients and Family Members

• Clients should have anti-bacterial hand soap and paper towels at each sink. Those paper towels will be discarded after one use. Clients should also have hand sanitizer or Isopropyl alcohol (70% or more concentration) placed near the older adult.
• Immediately upon entering the home, EVERYONE (Caregivers, family members, medical teams and other visitors) must proceed to the sink to wash their hands with antibacterial soap. On the way to the sink, do not touch any other surface. Dry your hands and turn off the faucet with the paper towel.
• Everyone must wash hands with antibacterial soap for at least 20 seconds. Sing the “Happy Birthday” song, slowly, two times, in order to make sure you are washing long enough.
• Hand-washing also must be done throughout the day. Wash your hands after using the restroom, before and after helping/touching the client, after coughing/sneezing/blowing nose and before cooking. Hand washing is our biggest opportunity to prevent the spread of the virus.

Notifications

If Home Care Assistance is currently providing care for you or a loved one and you are experiencing the aforementioned symptoms, we would ask that you please touch base with your Care Manager so we may jointly determine the best course of action – including properly equipping caregivers to safely continue service.

Guidance from the CDC

The CDC recommends the following everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
• Individuals with no symptoms should continue with normal day to day activities with the precautions in place.

You may also visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus for the latest recommendations from the CDC.

We appreciate your patience, cooperation and trust as we navigate these challenging circumstances together with our health as our top priority.