Virus Prevention Tips for Professional and Primary In-Home Caregivers in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties

Here are some essential health and safety precautions every in-home caregiver – both family and professional – should take when providing senior care in Santa Cruz, Marina, Scotts Valley and surrounding areas in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties

The spread of coronavirus changed and disrupted our everyday lives. It also introduced the new norm – how we interact with each other. Those providing in-home elderly care for an aging family member or client also have much more to worry about as elderly loved ones can be particularly venerable to COVID-19 and other viruses.

So, how to keep seniors safe in these times of crisis? Here are a couple of important virus prevention tips any in-home caregiver should follow.

Back to the Basics of Hygiene

During the pandemic, we all need to be extra careful and try to take hygiene to the next level, especially if we are providing care for aging adults. Both family caregivers and care professionals should make sure to follow certain hygiene guidelines to keep themselves and their seniors as safe as possible. This includes frequent handwashing, changing and washing clothes, disinfecting surfaces, as well as wearing protective masks and gloves (which should be changed often). Much of the work in preventing viruses from spreading revolves around maintaining basic hygiene.

The Principle of Separation

Another good advice that can prevent the spread of viruses is to keep household objects separate and clean. When tending to a senior, an in-home caregiver should remember to:

Put long hair up or make a braid
Take off jewelry or only wear small pieces that are easy to wash such as earrings
Bring a clean pair of shoes only to be worn inside the house
Wear clean clothes that will be washed after the care visit
Use bags that can be wiped and disinfected properly

Grocery Shopping and Errands

When shopping for groceries, reduce the number of personal belongings to a minimum and only bring essentials such as your wallet, keys and so on. Another good idea is to have a hand sanitizer with you at all times and some sanitizing wipes in your car. After shopping, an in-home caregiver should make sure to wipe all contact surfaces including keys, credit cards, doorknobs and grocery bag handles.

In-Home Cleaning

When entering the care recipient’s residence, first take off your dirty shoes and clean them. Proceed to thoroughly wash hands, put on the mask and then you can:

Wipe down frequently touched areas like door handles, faucets and remotes
Wash fruits and vegetables if you are cooking
Sanitize the cooking area and surfaces used before and after meal preparation

Virus Protection for Seniors

Seniors belong to a high-risk group for contracting infectious diseases, especially coronavirus. If you act as an in-home caregiver for an older adult, whether a client or a family member, please follow these safety guidelines:

Avoid commuting with additional passengers if you have your senior loved one in the vehicle
Make sure your senior loved one always wears a mask when outdoors
Do not let your senior go into a store, but do take them outside for walks and fresh air while maintaining a safe distance from others
Reinforce hygiene habits such as frequent handwashing
Be extra careful if you are assisting with bating

By adhering to these suggestions as well as recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you can ensure your senior loved one stays safe from various seasonal illnesses, not just COVID-19.

Contact our offices in Scotts Valley and Marina, CA to learn more about how a professional in-home caregiver from Visiting Angels Central Coast can help your senior loved one remain safe and comfortable at home.