COVID-19 Updates | #1 Silver Spring Home Health Care | Nest and Care

Table of Contents

UPDATES AS OF APRIL 2022

DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES

FAQS FOR CLIENTS

FAQS FOR CAREGIVERS

Updates as of April 2022

Basics of COVID 19:

Click here to learn about the basics of COVID 19

basics of covid19

How COVID 19 Spreads:

Click here to learn how COVID 19 spreads

Covid Spreads

Prevent Getting Sick:

Click here to learn how to prevent getting sick

Prevent Covid Infection

Contact Tracing:

Click here to learn about contact tracing

contact tracing 2

Reinfection:

Click here to learn about reinfection

reinfection

Quarantine and Isolation:

Click here to learn about quarantine and isolation

quarantine2

Downloadable Resources

Help Protect Yourself and Others

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Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations
Wear a mask indoors (when COVID-19 community level is high)
Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
Test to prevent spread to others
Washing your hands often
Download Here:
Help Protect Yourself

Important Steps to Choosing a Mask

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Make sure your mask fits
Pick a mask with multiple layers to keep your respiratory droplets in and others out.
Choose a mask with a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top.
Download Here:
Important Steps to Choosing a Mask

Slow the spread of Covid-19

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Stay up to date on your covid-19 vaccinations
Wear a mask if you are in an area with a high COVID-19 community level
Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds
Wash your hands
Test to prevent spread to others
Stay home if you are sick
Download Here:
Slow the Spread of COVID-19

Good things to know about a Covid-19 test

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It’s FREE
It’s EFFECTIVE
It’s QUICK
Download Here:
Good Things to Know About a COVID-19 Test

Test Soon and Treat Early

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Get tested as soon as possible after your symptoms start.
Contact your healthcare provider right away if your result is positive
Don’t delay. Treatment must be started early to work.
Download Here:
Don’t Delay: Test Soon and Treat Early

Using Your Self-Test

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Follow instructions very carefully.
Use the QR code in the download for more information about self-testing and how-to videos.
If your results are positive: Isolate yourself from others and tell your closest contacts
If you are at an increased risk of becoming very sick contact your health care provider right away
Download Here:
Using Your Self-Test

When You Are Sick

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Stay home except to get medical care
Stay separate from other people and pets in your home
Do not share personal household items
Monitor your symptoms.
Download Here:
When You Are Sick

COVID 19 FAQs for Clients

Silver Spring Home Health Care wants to make sure you are educated as much as possible during these times. It’s essential to have a healthy home environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are taking every precaution we can to protect at-risk clients and their families from various illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, etc. The measures currently taking place help in reducing the risk to clients no matter what the outbreak is. Still, there are several questions clients and families may have about Caregivers coming to their home.

What Type Of Education Are You Providing The Caregivers To Reduce The Risk Of Exposing My Loved Ones To COVID-19?

Our Registered Nurses provide Caregivers mandatory COVID-19 training. In addition, one-on-one calls are conducted with Caregivers before visiting a new client. Emails are sent, and resources are provided to ensure the education of all Caregivers and that they follow CDC guidelines. Such information includes:

Regularly washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. When soap and water are unavailable, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Not to touch their face without washing their hands first.
Avoiding sick people.
Sneeze or cough into a tissue, throwing it away immediately and then wash hands.
Upon going into the home, clean and disinfectant their cell phones and other objects/surfaces.
Wear gloves when coming into contact with bodily fluids. Throw the gloves away immediately in an outside trash receptacle. Wash hands immediately afterward.
Consume fresh foods, drink copious amounts of water, and get plenty of rest to bolster your immune system.
Isolate at home when feeling sick.
Avoid large gatherings outside the home, limiting contact with others, especially if they are considered high risk.

Will Caregivers Be Looking For COVID-19 Symptoms In My Loved One?

One aspect of certified CNA training is to recognize changes in clients’ conditions. Caregivers are told to alert the company if their Clients experience any symptoms related to COVID-19 such as fever, new and worsening cough, sore throat, diarrhea, allergy symptoms, and/or shortness of breath. Caregivers will observe, take notes, and report the client’s condition, appearance, or behavior. However, they are unable to diagnose patients due to licensing restrictions.

The Care Coordinator will reach out to the client’s family, asking them to call their medical doctor to determine what they should do next. If family members recognize the signs of COVID-19 in their loved one, we encourage them to contact the Care Coordinator right away.

What Is Nest & Care’s Policy In Regards To Caregivers Sick With COVID-19?

We care about the safety and health of our staff, caregivers, and clients and we are following the most recent CDC guidelines in regard to quarantine and isolation.

Is There A Backup Support Available Should The Regular Caregiver Be Unavailable?

We will make sure that your family member is taken care of by sending out another Caregiver when necessary.

Does My Caregiver Wear A Mask?

The CDC is recommending people wear cloth face coverings where social distancing measures are unable to be maintained. Research shows cloth face coverings can slow COVID-19’s spread and help people who unknowingly have the virus from spreading it. We also advise our Caregivers to regularly wash their cloth face coverings.
Nest & Care complies with the health agency’s recommendations on face coverings, and we ask that clients and their families also do so.

Will The Caregiver Wear Gloves?

Gloves are used in cases where bodily fluids are present. The day-to-day wearing of gloves is not useful in prevention since people frequently touch their hands, mouth, eyes, and face.

How Will Your Staff Communicate With The Client’s Family?

We will update you either by phone or email to let you know what is going on with your loved one. Though we have limited the visits of our Care Coordinators to Senior Living Communities and homes to only essential staff, we have increased the number of check-ins with the clients, families, and Caregivers to help when necessary.

COVID 19 FAQs for Caregivers

How Can Caregivers Best Protect Themselves and Their Clients?

There are key steps that should be taken:
Steer clear of sick family members and friends.

Limit visits outside the home to essential locations only to reduce contact exposure. If you go out to non-essential businesses, be mindful of social distancing practices.
Caregivers who are sick should not visit any place until they are symptom-free for 24 hours without any medication.
Clients and Caregivers need to wash their hands regularly using soap and water for 20 seconds.
Caregivers will help their clients to do this. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will need to be used when soap and water are not present.
Use a tissue to cover sneezes and coughs, throwing it away immediately after. If there is no tissue on hand, sneeze or cough into your elbow.
Wash hands before you touch your face. Help your Clients clean their hands regularly too.
All objects and surfaces need to be regularly cleaned and disinfected.

Should Caregivers Talk To Their Clients About COVID-19?

If Caregivers are asked about the coronavirus or feel the need to talk to their Clients about the virus, there are several recommendations worth following:
Assure your Client that all the necessary precautions are taking place – regular handwashing and sanitizing, cleaning and disinfectant objects and surfaces frequently touched, etc.
Advise them to also follow these measures and to avoid touching their face without washing or sanitizing their hands first, as well as coughing or sneezing into a tissue and throwing it immediately away.
Be a source of calmness for Clients, and talk with them about you following the recommended CDC guidelines.

What Should Caregivers Do If Their Client Exhibits COVID-19 Signs?

It’s imperative that Caregivers are keenly aware of their Client’s health. If you notice them continually coughing, have a fever or sore throat, or are short of breath, they need to make their Care Coordinator aware of it right away. The team will work hard to get the Client the help necessary.

What Is Nest & Care’s Leave Policy?

We care about our Clients, Staff and Caregivers’ health and safety; therefore, if you become sick or have been exposed to COVID-19, you are asked to self-quarantine for two full weeks (14 days). We will work with you so that you can still receive compensation during that time with proper documentation. Let us know immediately to get your Clients the help they need.

What Do Caregivers Do About Unexpected Visits To A Client’s Home?

The CDC is recommending people to observe social distancing measures in order to reduce the spread of the disease. Therefore, families are being asked to limit their in-person contacts with their loved ones and reach out to them via video conferencing or phone calls.

Should Caregivers Use A Face Masks When Taking Care of Their Client As Well As When They Are Not?

According to the CDC, cloth face coverings are necessary when it’s not possible to social distance from others. Even simple cloth face coverings can slow the virus’ spread and keep those who have it unknowingly passing it to others. These coverings should be washed in a washer after every use. To make your own face coverings, go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

We advise our Caregivers and Clients to use face masks as advised by the CDC.

Is There Something Caregivers Must Do Differently In Cleaning?

It would be wise to have disinfectant cleaners and wipes (something with alcohol or bleach) to regularly clean frequently touched surfaces and objects. It’s recommended that people wash their hands often.

What Precautions Must Be Taken To Prepare A Client’s Food?

It is important to wash your hands before preparing food. Make sure all food-preparing utensils are thoroughly cleaned and is done often. There is no evidence, at this time, that COVID-19 is transmittable through food. That does not mean, however, that it is not impossible.

What Must Caregivers Do Differently When Shopping For Food?

As advised by the CDC, try to social distance yourself from others and use a face mask. Only go shopping when it’s absolutely necessary and use a list for the items you need to get in and get out. If you can, use a grocery delivery service like InstaCart or Peapod. Some pharmacies do offer medication delivery services.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated there is no evidence that food and food packages are harboring traces of the COVID-19 virus. However, it is advised to wash your hands after loading and unloading groceries.

Do Caregivers Need To Be Anxious About Clients In Senior Living Facilities?

Senior Living Communities’ staff and residents are at high risk for catching COVID-19, similar to the general public. Therefore, steps are being enacted to protect individuals from the virus. Such things being introduced include taking temperatures of visitors and screening them for potential symptoms of the virus and other illnesses.

Since the disease is particularly dangerous for seniors, these communities are going above and beyond to protect them.

What Supplies/Equipment Do Caregivers Need With Them?

Gloves need to be worn any time Caregivers will be in contact with bodily fluids. Surgical masks and gowns are not necessary and have not been shown for their effectiveness against the respiratory illness.

Will Caregivers Learn of a Client’s Health Before Going To Their Home?

We are constantly in contact with Clients about their health so that Care Coordinators will inform Caregivers of potential issues.

What Can Caregivers Do If They Get Sick and Lack Health Insurance?

The Maryland Health Exchange has a special open enrollment until June 15 for Caregivers. Check out marylandhealthconnection.gov to learn more.

Silver Spring Home Health Care

Nest and Care Silver Spring - Bethesda Home Health Care

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Call (240) 226-3310

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10411 Motor City Dr Suite 325, Bethesda MD

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