To Our Valued Clients and Caregivers:
CareBuilders at Home recognizes the important role it plays in protecting the lives of our beloved clients and caregivers during this health crisis. Our plan is to keep providing services to all of our clients. Rest assured that all of our offices are following strict protocols set forth by the CDC and public health to ensure that all of our home care providers are committed to your loved ones’ safety. We are also in frequent contact with our clients to monitor any changes that may occur that could require a caregiver to alter their own schedule. We have an emergency preparedness plan in place and will continue to follow and adjust it as needed until this crisis is over.
CareBuilders at Home is committed to safety and we thank you for placing your trust in us during these challenging times. Please see the resources below for information about the Coronavirus. If you have any questions please click here to contact us directly.
Joint CommissionStatement on Use of Face Masks Brought From Home
The Joint Commission supports allowing staff to bring their own standard face masks or respirators to wear at work when their healthcare organizations cannot routinely provide access to protective equipment that is commensurate with the risk to which they are exposed. More information can be found here.
What is COVID-19 and how it spreads?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. It can also be transmitted by touching objects that have the virus deposited on them like paper, plastic, and cloth. The virus can survive on different surfaces for a few hours to several days. Not everyone gets sick. However, some people do get sick, and for some, it can be a life-threatening condition. Click here for more information.
Which individuals are at higher risk?
The CDC indicates that the following groups of people are at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19:
- People aged 65 years and older
- People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- Other high-risk conditions could include:
- People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
- People who have heart disease with complications
- People who are immunocompromised including those receiving cancer treatment.
Click here for more information.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Call your doctor if you have the following symptoms, either alone or in combination. These symptoms are part of the COVID-19 syndrome:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
There are also emergency warning signs for COVID-19 that you should know and which require immediate medical attention.
- Increasing difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
For more information click here.
What you can do to protect yourself and others?
- Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
- Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Click here to view the CDC handwashing video.
- Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Cleaning and disinfecting: Clean and disinfect ALL frequently touched surfaces.
- Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact: Avoid close contact with people that are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
- Stay home: Home is the best place to be to avoid contracting COVID-19. Check with visitors and family members coming into your home.
- Facemask: If you are sick, wear a facemask when around other people and before entering the doctor’s office or another medical provider’s facility.
Further information can be found here.
What to do if you get sick with COVID-19 and don’t have to be hospitalized?
Stay home, and separate yourself from other people in your home (this is known as home isolation), except to get medical care is the advice of the CDC. Stay in touch with your medical provider and follow their advice because they have your specific information. The following are general guidelines form the CDC.
- Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 may be able to recover at home. It’s best not to leave except to get medical care.
- Stay in touch with your doctor: Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency.
- Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
- Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific “sick room” away from other people in your home, and use a separate bathroom, if available.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
- Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people.
Further information can be found here.
What CareBuilders at Home is doing to keep clients and staff safe?
CareBuilders at Home is actively engaged in protecting clients and staff during the pandemic. We feel that the best way to do this is to educate about screening for symptoms, teach good hand hygiene, keep a clean environment, and remain up to date about CDC guidelines and public health alerts.
CareBuilders at Home caregivers already receive training on infection control and caregiving. Caregivers receive initial, annual, and other training as needed or required by the state, OSHA, and other regulatory bodies.
With the advent of COVID-19, our agency has implemented our emergency preparedness and business continuity plans. We have a caregiver screening tool to check caregivers and clients for symptoms of COVID-19. The best way to keep COVID-19 out of the home is to encourage every person in the home to also follow social distancing and hand hygiene.