Updated January 16th, 2024
Seeking Home Care Amid COVID-19
Seeking home care for an aging parent or loved one may feel overwhelming right now. You may be wondering if this is the best choice or if you should wait until COVID-19 circumstances change.
We understand your concerns and we’re here to help.
Home care is the safest choice for your loved one amid COVID-19 as he/she will receive top quality care in the comfort of usual surroundings. Georgetown Home Care is following Centers for Disease Control guidelines and has taken all precautions to put the safety of our clients and employees first.
Georgetown Home Care COVID-19 Safety Protocols (General Public)
- Sick Pay: We are one of the only companies in our industry that pays sick time. If our caregivers are not feeling well, they are told to stay home. We have a deep bench of caregivers and we can find a replacement quickly. Caregivers that work independently or for another agency will often go to work when they are sick because they need the money. We don’t foresee this being an issue for us.
- Hand Washing: We regularly train our aides on good hand-washing technique. There is a proper technique to hand washing and we want to instill good practices in our team. You should also follow these practices; wash with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- Sanitation: This is another reminder we are regularly reinforcing with our team. Disinfecting surfaces and proper sanitation in the home are key to reducing germs. Please make sure you have surface disinfectant available for use.
- Safety: In the event that one of our caregivers comes into contact with someone who is diagnosed with COVID-19, we are following the Centers for Disease Control’s guidance of self-quarantine for 14 days before they can return to work.
- Face Masks: The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 2 should wear a face covering while in proximity to other individuals. Their research shows that wearing a cloth face mask helps protect others from contracting the virus. We are following this recommendation and requiring our caregivers to wear face masks as an additional measure to keep our clients safe.
- Training: Georgetown Home Care caregivers have received additional training for safe caregiving techniques during COVID-19. Training is ongoing to ensure consistency across our staff.
COVID-19 Recovery Services
Georgetown Home Care caregivers have received the proper training and personal protective equipment necessary to serve recovering COVID-19 patients safely and with the highest standards of excellence. Additional protocols are in place for caregivers who serve COVID+ patients.
Note: Care providers who serve recovering COVID-19 clients and those who serve the general public will not overlap.
Additional Safety Protocols for COVID-19 Recovery Care
- Temperature Checks: Employees must take their temperature prior to reporting for a shift. If the employee’s temperature is 99 degrees or above, the caregiver must report the temperature to a supervisor and remain home while symptoms persist. Employees may return to work after they have been fever free without the use of a fever-reducing medication for three days.
- PPE: Employees are required to wear face masks, face shields, surgical gowns and gloves while in the same room as a COVID+ patient. This will continue for 7-10 days after the patient has returned home, depending on illness symptoms. Face masks are required at all times.
- Prevention of Illness Spread: Caregivers are to use a different restroom than their COVID+ client if possible. If not possible, the restroom must be sanitized after each use of the ill client. Caregivers will also regularly sanitize high-touch items including doorknobs, light switches, faucets, electronics, etc.
- Self Health Analyses: Employees are to be extremely diligent about monitoring their own health while working with COVID+ patients. If any illness symptoms surface, employees are required to communicate with their supervisor to determine the appropriate amount of time to remain home based on symptoms and test results. In the event a Georgetown Home Care employee tests positive for COVID-19, that employee will self-isolate at home for a minimum of 10 days based on symptoms present.
How Home Care Can Meet Your Needs Right Now
Georgetown Home Care has a variety of services available to meet your needs, offering you peace of mind and your loved one the best care available. Many family caregivers choose our respite care service to give you the rest and rejuvenation you need on a temporary basis. We also are equipped to assist patients in their homes after hospitalization through our Welcome Home Program or even offer companionship during a time when many daily activities aren’t possible.
COVID-19 has put a great deal of stress on families, but that doesn’t mean you have to face these days without any assistance. The safety and well-being of our patients and their families continue to be our priority. Let us help make this challenging situation easier for you.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at any time.