Local Caregivers are ready to provide in-home care during COVID-19

This is an important time for us to all consider the safety of those that we interact with at home and in the workplace. Healthcare workers and caregivers are on the front lines of helping elderly and those in need of extra assistance. At Visiting Angels we take our employees and client’s safety in the highest regard. These are some of the questions that we have received - and answers - that may give you some comfort in utilizing in-home caregiver services during COVID-19.

Should my Caregivers wear gloves for the complete duration of their shift?

This may sound like a reasonable idea, however germs from the COVID-19 virus can still get onto surfaces like medical gloves. We do not recommend that our Caregivers wear their gloves for their whole shifts. Gloves are used when preparing food at times, helping with private care or touching a customer’s skin. Regular and thorough hand washing (more than 20 seconds with hot water) and hand sanitizers provide great protection.

Give us a call to learn more: 828-665-3944

Should I take my Caregiver’s temperature before entering my home?

A professional Caregiver takes everyone’s health into consideration. By employing a professional Visiting Angels Caregiver, asking for the temperature of the caregiver is not needed. Keep in mind that people can be “asymptomatic,” meaning that they will now show signs of the virus, including a temperature. Nevertheless if it is giving you peace of mind it is allowable.

If our caregiver agency has been in contact with someone that has COVID-19, we have specific procedures in place, do not hesitate to ask us. We take this very seriously and Visiting Angels Asheville, NC has caregivers with many decades of healthcare and caregiving experience.

Should a Caregiver wear a mask?

Masks tend to be most effective when worn by those that are currently infected with COVID-19 - it’s not necessarily a precaution to prevent our own exposure - rather a way to prevent you from exposing others. Aerosol transmission of COVID-19 (ie. a healthy person just breathing the air near a sick person) does happen — but it’s rare. There are a lot of things that we don’t know about the virus. Nevertheless, Weill Cornell fellow of pulmonology, Dr. David Price, says this is where the distinction of “sustained contact” is important. Aerosol transmission likely happens by spending extended time in a confined space with someone who is “aerosolizing” the virus (ex. coughing, sneezing, etc.). Dr. David Price says that carrying a mask or a Bandana is a good way to prevent you from touching your face and avoiding contamination when in a public place and if you have not washed your hands.

How can you protect yourself and your family?

Stay 3–6 feet away from people, in general, to avoid breathing their air if they cough or sneeze.
Don’t hug or shake hands with someone because you don’t know if they have dirty hands.
Do NOT touch your face before washing your hand thoroughly for 20 second and more with hot water,
Keep your social circle small for now so you know that you’re only interacting with people that are following the same hygienic procedures that you are.
Practice social distancing
How can I get infected by COVID-19?

COVID-19 is spread through sustained contact with someone who has the disease or is about to get the disease. CDC says that “sustained contact” likely means spending at least 10 minutes close to an infected person— touching them, touching the same surfaces, breathing the same air. This means touching your face with infected hands, that likely picked up the virus, on a dirty surface. As noted, Dr. Price emphasises that It is transmitted, “almost-exclusively from hands to your face —[from putting your infected hands] into your eyes, into your nose, or into your mouth.”

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). (CDC)
Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. (CDC)
Per CDC can be contagious 48 hour before symptomatic

Does someone that you love need extra help around the house or 12-24 hour in home care during this time?

We are ready to bring the love, care and compassion that they deserve.