As the coronavirus continues to surge throughout our nation, everyone is at risk. However, it is our nation’s seniors that are at the particularly highest risk of infection and possible death. This makes senior home care Denver more important than ever at this time. But how, with caregivers coming and going, can seniors truly be protected from the risk of COVID-19 infection?
Thankfully there are several ways to prevent the spread of illness to our elderly citizens. Here you will find a list of several precautions that in-home senior caregivers should take to keep their patients safe and healthy during this challenging time.
- Social Distancing – When caregivers enter a patient’s home after being away from their client, they must maintain a six-foot social distance space from their client at all times.
- Wear a Mask – Both the caregiver and the patient should be wearing a mask when they are close to each other.
- Be Aware of Symptoms – Both the caregiver and the patient should be very self-aware of any COVID-19 symptoms they may be experiencing and inform the agency right away so that proper measures can be put in place. Do not come in contact with anyone experiencing symptoms or having had possible exposure.
- Frequent Handwashing – Caregivers should frequently wash their hands, especially before and after contact with a patient. Washing hands for at least 20 seconds is proven to be effective in killing germs and bacteria. Patients should also maintain proper hand hygiene. If access to a sink is not possible, having hand sanitizer close by would be a great alternative.
- Sanitizing and Disinfecting – Caregivers should disinfect any objects they touch in a patient’s home while performing their caregiving duties. By sanitizing frequently touched objects in the home, the spread of the virus can be slowed.
The Benefits of At-Home Senior Care During a Pandemic
With the high risk that is given to seniors in this challenging time, it can be very difficult for individuals and families to decide what the best course of action is for their own or their loved one’s care. Safety and health are the priority and, while it may seem counterintuitive to invite a person into you or your loved one’s home to help, it is most likely the best and safest option for senior care at this time.
Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals are among the most highly infectious places when it comes to COVID-19 and many other dangerous illnesses and infections. Keeping yourself or your loved one at home with the most minimal amount of exposure is the best option right now. This is where in-home health and care services can become an excellent option. Instead of you or your loved one being in contact with several different staff members and residents throughout the day at a care facility, they can reduce their exposure drastically and remain safe with an at-home caregiver.
Between limiting contact with caregivers and taking appropriate precautions, such as handwashing and social distancing, it’s possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
