Current Considerations for In-Home Care Aides

The Orange County Department on Aging recently shared a set of helpful considerations from the AARP for families relying on in-home aides to supplement care of a loved one during Covid-19. As we know, these professionals often provide essential support that make a big difference for both the patrons and their families.

There are some simple steps that can be taken to minimize risk and continue the necessary care.

• Consider the possibility of lessening the number of in-home visits by replacing some of the visits with a a video chat or phone call. It may be that a family member is now available to fill in with some of the ongoing needs, allowing you to realign the caregiving schedule to create a smaller pool of people involved.

• Confirm with the care aide/ providing agency that they have precautionary steps in place and that they are symptom free before arrival.

• Ask care aides to wash hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds or more upon arrival and to wear mask and gloves while offering services in the home, and to maintain a distance of 6 feet for tasks that do not require proximity to the patron.

• Remember that you also ought to maintain a social distance and wear a mask for the well-being of the visiting aide.

• Finally, clean and sanitize commonly touched surfaces like door knobs, light switches and arm rests before and after the visits.

Most importantly, express your appreciation to the aide for their continued service to your family. Be clear and open about how you are minimizing risks for both parties and check in regularly about how they are feeling about their ability to deliver care under quarantine conditions.

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2020/in-home-care-during-coronavirus.html

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/home-care/info-2020/cleaning-during-coronavirus.html