The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted home care services, including private duty care, elder care, and in-home care for seniors. Collier Home Care remains committed to providing safe, high-quality referrals of care providers who deliver home care services while keeping both clients and referred care providers healthy. Here are the steps we have taken to rise to the challenges brought by the pandemic.
Mandatory Testing
Collier Home Care refers one-on-one private duty home care providers, including assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting, ambulation, transfers, grooming, feeding, medication reminders, light housekeeping, and more. We also refer care providers to senior living environments, such as assisted living facilities, skilled nursing rehabilitation, and memory care. We can refer certified nursing assistants (CNAs), home health aides (HHAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs) to help during staffing shortages.
Effective July 7, 2020, the Florida Department of Health required that all nursing home and assisted living facility staff be tested for COVID-19 every two weeks. This requirement includes all private duty caregivers, ensuring the safety of residents and clients receiving in-home care services.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Since the onset of COVID-19, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has recommended wearing face masks when individuals are around others, especially when social distancing (six feet of distance) is not possible. Referred care providers are required to use medical-grade disposable masks when providing personal care related to activities of daily living (ADLs), such as assistance with bathing, showering, toileting, and grooming.
In addition to face masks, caregivers must use medical-grade exam gloves, which are changed regularly to prevent cross-contamination. These PPE measures are essential to keeping both clients and referred care providers safe while home care services are provided.
Mental Health of Our Seniors
Many senior care facilities have successfully prevented the spread of COVID-19 by isolating residents from outside contact. However, this isolation can have negative effects on seniors’ mental health, depriving them of visits from loved ones and limiting outings. We strive to connect clients with care providers who can offer mental and physical stimulation while maintaining safety protocols, ensuring that clients receiving elder care services remain engaged and active despite these challenges.
Biweekly COVID-19 Testing
Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in Florida, Additional measures were taken to ensure the safety of clients and caregivers. Effective July 6, all actively working referred care providers were required to take a COVID-19 antibody test every two weeks and provide the results to our office. If a caregiver experienced symptoms or tested positive for antibodies, they were required to notify the office immediately and undergo a swab test to determine active infection. Referred care providers were removed from providing care until a negative swab test result was verified.
Commitment to Safety and Health
To date, we are not aware of any clients, caregivers, or administrative staff who have tested positive for COVID-19. We are determined to keep all clients and referred care providers safe and healthy—both physically and mentally—during these trying times. We continue to adapt and enhance our safety measures as new information about the pandemic becomes available.
If we can be of assistance in referring a care provider who can meet the home care needs of you or a loved one, please contact us at (239) 920-3902. Our team at Collier Home Care is committed to delivering a personalized referral service that meets your individual needs and expectations. We believe in a client-first approach, and we are ready to go the extra mile to ensure your complete satisfaction with our referral services.