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Update on 24 Hour Home Care’s Health and Safety Protocol with the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

· 7 min read
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24 Hour Home Care is actively monitoring the progression of the coronavirus, COVID-19, to ensure that we have the most accurate and latest information on the impact of the virus. As new cases are identified in our communities, this situation continues to develop rapidly, and our protocols will be adjusted as needed.

While most cases of COVID-19 are mild, causing only fever and cough, a very small percentage of cases become severe and may progress particularly in the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Because this is a large population that 24 Hour Home Care serves, we understand your concerns and want to share with you how our organization is responding to the threat of COVID-19.

We are following updates and procedures from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), State Department of Health, local and county authorities, the Home Care Association of America, and other agencies and resources. Our response and plans may adjust according to the recommendations from these organizations.

Safety Protocol for 24 Hour Home Care

In addition to our continued adherence to the CDC and WHO guidelines, 24 Hour Home Care is taking extra steps to keep our community as healthy as possible. Our S.A.F.E.R. Protection Plan includes the following measures:

Safety training

  • Support care employees and caregivers are participating in ongoing training to ensure they are up-to-date and compliant with the latest safety recommendations. Training modules include proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper handwashing technique.
  • 24 Hour Home Care provides ongoing client and caregiver education and communication related to COVID-19.

Safety equipment

  • At the start of your caregiving experience, new private pay clients receive a PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Kit. PPE includes face masks (surgical and cloth), gloves and, in some cases, face shields. 24 Hour Home Care also provides thermometers to caregivers for regular temperature checks.
  • Caregivers are required to wear face masks, at a minimum when delivering in-home care to clients.

Safety procedures

  • 24 Hour Home Care is encouraging teleworking for support center employees to the greatest extent possible and has enhanced safety protocols in place to ensure health and physical distancing during any essential onsite business operations.
  • Employees and caregivers are required to wash hands with soap and water in accordance with proper hand washing techniques. When soap and water are not readily available, employees are advised to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
  • Additional sanitizing is recommended for high-volume points of contact (door handles, keyboards, faucets, etc.) and 24 Hour Home Care offices are well-stocked with hand sanitizers and Lysol wipes.
  • 24 Hour Home Care requires caregivers to certify that they are non-symptomatic at the beginning of each workday. Per the CDC’s recommendation, caregivers are required to conduct regular temperature checks to ensure they do not have a temperature of 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
  • Employees are required to refrain from coming to work if they exhibit the following symptoms.

At least one of these symptoms:

  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fever greater than 100.0 degrees

Or at least two of these symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • All 24 Hour Home Care employees and caregivers who have traveled internationally since January or plan to are required to disclose their travel details to their Care Coordinator, Supervisor and/or Human Resources. Upon returning from any international travel, employees are required to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to work, regardless of whether or not they are exhibiting symptoms. Employees who exhibit respiratory symptoms after traveling will be required to self-quarantine and provide a doctor’s note or negative test result before returning to work.
  • Employees exhibiting symptoms are required to stay home from work until it’s been at least 10 days since the onset of symptoms, they have been fever-free for at least 72 hours and have improving respiratory symptoms; or have received two consecutive negative COVID-19 tests.
  • 24 Hour Home Care has partnered with Heal to provide complimentary contact-free virtual consultations for any caregiver or employee who feels ill.
  • 24 Hour Home Care has partnered with Grubhub to provide contact-free meal service to clients.
  • 24 Hour Home Care provides full comprehensive health care coverage for support center employees and caregivers.

How Can 24 Hour Home Care Help During This Time?

We believe that home is the safest place for you or your loved ones. Our Caregivers can help in the home which can limit exposure from outside contact and large group activity where the virus is known to spread more quickly.

For individuals who have been recently discharged from the hospital, home care with our Caregiver can be the lower risk option since skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities may become reluctant to accept immunocompromised patients due to the facilities’ higher-risk environments.

How our Caregivers can help in the home:

  • Personal care (assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting)
  • Light housekeeping and sanitizing around the home
  • Picking up groceries and medication
  • Meal preparation while following health & safety protocols
  • Companionship and socialization (while promoting social distancing from large groups of people)

Looking to Provide Care?

As we serve an essential service to the most vulnerable population during these times, we need you now more than ever! To become a caregiver with 24 Hour Home Care apply here today!

Where can I find more information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

We recommend you stay up to date on the current situation. Here are some resources to find additional information on the Coronavirus:

We will continue to closely monitor the situation and evaluate additional measures to support our clients, employees, and communities. Should you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to us directly. Our phone lines and inboxes are always open to you.

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