Loving Well during COVID-19
At LoveWell Home Care, more than ever, the safety of your loved ones and our caregivers is vital. With training from our accredited partner Care Academy and guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all LoveWell Home Care caregivers have been trained to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 in their clients and themselves. In addition, all Caregivers are practicing enhanced safety protocols to prevent and protect from the spread of the disease. This includes:
Wash hands frequently
Disinfect surfaces routinely
Self-check and client check for fever/symptoms daily
Maintain a safe distance
If cannot maintain a safe distance, wear a mask for caregiver and client (when necessary)
Check in and communicate regularly with office
If you are considering having LoveWell care for a loved one or looking for meaningful employment opportunities, please call us at 248-773-7660.
What we are doing to keep our clients and caregivers safe
LoveWell Home Care is regularly training and updating our care team on how to protect Clients and Caregivers from COVID-19. As an essential part of the healthcare system, our Caregivers can help minimize the exposure to our clients and our communities.
We have enhanced our safety protocols, to help reduce the risk of exposure for Clients and Caregivers alike. These steps are required prior to, during and at the completion of every shift.
Daily and Before Each Shift
Our caregivers do a self-check to ensure they are safe to be in your home and that they have not been exposed to COVID-19. In addition, as they clock in to each shift, they go through a screening questionnaire. This includes:
Monitoring their own temperature
Monitoring their own and members of household symptoms associated with COVID-19
Reporting on their own and members of household travel
Reporting on whether they or member of household has been in close contact with anyone who has been tested, diagnosed or told my a medical profession they may have COVID-19
If they do not satisfy the self-check or screening and may be a risk to our clients or team members, that Caregiver is taken off our schedule. They are monitored and if exposure to COVID-19 is confirmed, they are placed on a 14-day paid, quarantine.
If they satisfy the factors and there is no risk of exposure or symptoms, the Caregiver will come into the home, and immediately wash their hands. Throughout their time in the home you will see the Caregiver wash their hands frequently, especially before and after preparing food, or providing personal care. According to the CDC, proper and frequent hand washing is the number one thing anyone can do in the prevention of this virus. They will wear gloves when preparing food or providing personal care. Caregivers will wear a mask when they are unable to maintain 6 feet of social distancing. During close contact or when necessary, our caregivers will ask clients to wear a mask.
At the End of Each Shift
At the end of their shift, LoveWell Caregivers disinfect all frequently touched surfaces (doorknobs, counters, remotes, light switches) and wash their hands thoroughly before leaving the home.
Is home care safe during COVID-19?
Home care is safe. When infection control is of concern, the home care model has many advantages. Our clients have minimal exposure to people as well as the community. During the shelter in place orders, caregivers are able to run errands, grocery shop and go to the pharmacy when our clients can stay at home. LoveWell caregivers are trained to identify the symptoms of COVID-19 in our clients as well as themselves. Our caregivers can inform family of any concerns and ensure our clients get proper medical attention.
The CDC and state governments have considered Home Care workers as essential – as we help older adults remain safe at home by bringing services to the home. Reducing exposure and helping prevent the spread of the virus.
By bringing services in and helping populations shelter safely in place, Home Care is helping reduce the stress on our healthcare system as well.