The COVID-19 pandemic has been a truly devastating and shocking event that has completely changed the trajectory of life for all of us.
In times like these, it is important to take the appropriate safety measures to protect our own health and that of those around us. As an active or potential patient for home health care services, it’s important to know what kind of protective measures agencies are taking and some of the procedures you should see being followed during a visit. While local and state regulations will vary across the country, this should provide a decent guide on some things to expect from a licensed home health agency
One of the main things that Elderly Companion caregivers do to protect the health of those in their care is screening themselves and those in their care every day before arriving at clients’ homes. The screening involves questions to assess if they are at risk for COVID-19 due to any existing symptoms or interactions.
Everyday that companion caretakers go to the home of someone under their care, they are to be on the lookout for any symptoms that might be related to COVID-19 or for any other changes in an individual under care. They should report all the changes that they observe to a supervisor.
This can help detect if someone might possibly be at risk and can assist both the homemaker companion, the client involved, and their family in knowing if seeking testing is necessary.
Another measure that can be taken is placing a covering on any surface where any bags that the home health caregiver brings into the home can be placed. The home health aide should sanitize their hands after retrieving or putting anything back into the bag.
This is done to prevent any bacteria that might be on the bag from coming into direct
contact with any surface of clients’ homes.
Additionally, home health aides should be provided with face coverings by their employer, and are required to adjust them on their face prior to entering patients’ homes. They must also keep them on if they are riding in a car with those in their care to doctors appointments or errands.
They should also be provided with alcohol pads and are encouraged to use these to wipe down their phones before their clients e-sign their names, if applicable, for services rendered. They are also encouraged to wipe down any countertops or surfaces that they might have touched or that might be exposed to bacteria before they leave the clients’ homes. This is to minimize the risk of bringing in any bacteria from outside into their patients’ home and keep their space as clean as possible.
Home health caregivers are also to wash their hands as soon as they enter patients' home and if they need to retrieve anything from their car or go outside for whatever reason they are to wash their hands again upon entering the house.
Doctor’s appointments are one of the main activities that homemaker companions do with those in their care. This can be a tedious thing for the elderly to do at this time, and it's extremely important that measures are taken to keep individuals safe.
Masks should be worn by both the home health aide and the client both in the car and in the doctor's office. The caretaker should have hand sanitizer in the car to disinfect when they return to the car, and the caretaker is to encourage the individual in their care to wash their hands whenever it becomes possible.
While it may seem like a lot of additional steps, most caretakers should be in good habit of the extra procedures by now. Here at Unified Pledge, it is our priority to keep our clients safe and trying to reduce risk. We stay on top of new information and guidelines regarding the virus that has been provided by the CDC, and enact any new measures that are required immediately.
Hiring professionals from Unified Pledge also comes with the following advantages:
● Level II FBI background checks of all staff
● Driving history checks
● Companions, health aides, LPNs are our direct employees and not independent contractors
● Constant communication to patients, family, and care team
● Registered Nurse supervision is ongoing with every care plan
Contact us today for a FREE consultation by Supervisory Nurse at 561-910-8770!
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