While the entire medical industry is overwhelmed right now, one of the most impacted areas is the home care industry. Since home care workers must travel to their patients’ homes, there is increased risk for all involved. Today, we will look at some of the precautions and guidelines that home care workers are following, as well as some care tips for yourself and your loved ones to ensure everyone stays as healthy as possible.
If you or someone you love are in need of home care services during these times, get in touch with Alliance Homecare in New York. We are still providing the benefits of home care in our communities, and we are taking every precaution we can to still provide you with the best care that can be had. Call our team now to learn more!
Assess Suitability
The first priority in providing home care revolves around the suitability of the patient to receive care in their home. Most of our current patients fit under this without issue. The official considerations provided from the CDC include whether:
- The patient is stable
- Caregivers are available
- The patient can have a separate room without sharing immediate space with others
- Food and necessities are available
- The patient has access to personal protective equipment like gloves, facemask, and can adhere to precautions as part of home care and isolation
- There are household members who may be at increased risk of infection from COVID-19
Alliance Homecare takes all of these guidelines and more into account when we are working with our patients. Caring for patients throughout New York offers other challenges due to the close proximity of most living conditions, and if you are caring for your elderly or high risk friends and family, it is important that you follow these same guidelines.
Caring For Yourself At Home
If you are well enough to take your care into your own hands, you can do so. Whenever possible, stay home from work, school, or other activities. When you must go out, avoid public transportation if at all possible, and practice extreme cleanliness. You should always make sure you are washing your hands, cleaning commonly touched surfaces and areas, and bathing regularly. If you show symptoms of any sickness, monitor them closely and call your healthcare provider if they get worse. In the case of emergencies, call 911 and notify them of your symptoms, also informing them you are at high risk of Coronavirus.
Caring For Others At Home
If you are currently caring for a loved one in New York, you must be even more vigilant than ever before. If you stay in the same home as the person you are caring for, distance yourself from them as much as possible, and keep shared areas extra clean to avoid contamination. It is a good idea to always have your healthcare provider’s contact information at hand in case of emergency. If you do not share the same home and you are traveling to meet those you care for, if it is at all possible, do not enter their home or apartment. You can drop off food and necessities at the door, call to check in, and make sure they are taken care of without entering their living space. If you must enter, always wash your hands thoroughly, and consider wearing a face mask to prevent the spread of germs.
Home care has been highly impacted due to the lethality and easy spreading of COVID-19, but with proper safety measures, all of your loved ones in New York will be able to receive the care they need. Alliance Homecare is still operating, and we will continue to follow guidelines set by local government, the DOH and the CDC to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible throughout this time, while also receiving the special care that is necessary. Contact our team today if you have any questions or you wish to begin your own home care services.
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