Benefits of Homecare During COVID 19 and Protocols To Keep Clients Safe

Dear Clients and Families:

All of us at Visiting Angels are 100% committed to protecting our clients from the Coronavirus. 

I would like to begin by saluting our dedicated caregivers. They are true healthcare professionals who have been working hard through the crisis, and taking extra precautions to keep our clients safe. 

Homecare prevents falls, dehydration, medication errors, or other risks that could lead to hospitalization. Hospitals are one of the highest risk environments for exposure to COVID-19. Our caregivers enable our clients to receive the care they need in the safety of their own home. 

Some clients may be concerned about having a caregiver in the home because of worries about possible transmission of the virus. Caregivers are likewise concerned about transmission from clients or clients’ family members or visitors. We realize there is a need to balance risks and benefits. That is why we remain vigilant in insisting on precautions to protect both clients and caregivers.  

I am pleased to say that not one of our clients has tested positive or shown symptoms.  Here is an overview of the steps we are taking:

1.  We require every caregiver, prior to entering a client’s home before every shift, to certify that they have no symptoms of the virus, no known exposure to anyone who has been diagnosed or shown symptoms, and no travel to any high risk areas in the past 14 days.
2.  We provide ongoing instructions and reminders to all caregivers of the importance of proper infection control measures, such as washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer when soap is not available, and disinfecting surfaces and objects that are frequently touched.
3.  We have added services such as food delivery and pharmacy pick up to support staying at home. Please call 561-328-7611 to make arrangements.
4.  We have increased “telehealth” services to check on our clients’ welfare and for supervisory visits.
5.  We have instructed all caregivers to be especially alert to any signs in their clients that might be a symptom of the Coronavirus, and to immediately report that to us.  
6.  We have instituted new screening procedures for all new clients so that neither we nor our caregivers have any contact before we ascertain they have not been exposed.
7.  We have restricted visitors to our office and implemented infection control procedures to protect our staff.  
8.  We have asked all of our clients’ families not to visit our clients if they have Coronavirus symptoms, had exposure to people with symptoms, or have traveled within the past 14 days.
9.  We are doing our best to stay stocked in gloves and masks for everyone’s protection!  

I will continue to update you on significant developments.  Please feel free to contact me, or our Executive Director, Patricia Collins, RN, BSN, if you have any questions or if we can help in any way. We are all in this together.

Sincerely,

Irv Seldin, JD, MA

President and Owner

Visiting Angels of the Palm Beaches

*THIS ARTICLE IS NOT INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.