COVID-19 In Home Care Letter

Dear Clients and Families,

We have been monitoring the spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and we now have a confirmed case in the state of Idaho. We will be following recommendations from local and federal regulatory agencies to take additional steps to prevent the virus from entering our client’s homes. We also have a few precautions we are asking you to take part in to ensure your safety and well as our caregivers. As you know our caregivers go to multiple homes throughout the day, each caregiver has been given a supply of hand sanitizer, masks and gloves. They have been instructed to sanitize between each client and inform us immediately if they have come into contact with anyone who is ill or running a fever.

What you can do to help us:

  • Please notify Gables in Home Care immediately if you are feeling ill, running a fever, or encounter anyone who may be sick.
  • Please limit the visitors coming into your home.
  • Avoid large social gatherings.
  • Disinfect your home as much as possible.
  • Please limit the errands and shopping for your caregivers. (By sending them out everyday you are increasing your risk of exposure.)

General Health Protocols: (taken from the national association for home care and hospice)

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Facemasks, if you are showing symptoms.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, using hand sanitizer when soap and water are not

We will continue business as usual right now, however, please understand that if any of our caregivers’ contract COVID-19 he or she will not be allowed to work. You may be seen by a new caregiver or at a different time then you are used to.

Please have a back up plan in the event that a caregiver may not be able to reach you.

Knowing the symptoms of COVID-19:

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Extreme Symptoms:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

(Information taken from the centers for disease control)

What to do if you become sick:

  • Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
  • Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
  • Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
  • Stay away from others
  • Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
  • Wear a facemask
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Clean your hands often
  • Avoid sharing personal items
  • Disinfect home daily
  • Monitor your symptoms
  • Seek medical attention: Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing)

(Information taken from the centers for disease control)

If you have any questions, concerns, or even ideas that will help make this temporary situation less impactful, we are open to feedback. If for some reason you feel we need to make an exception to any of these procedures, please communicate with the administration directly. Your patience and collaborative attitudes in working with us to keep our clients and team healthy as we ever evolve to implement best practices is appreciated. The initial timeline recommended for these procedures go through the end of march and we will be reevaluating at that time. Thank you for your continued trust and support. Feel free to reach out any time.

Sincerely, 

(208) 357-3323 Idaho Falls

(208) 270-1194 Pocatello

(435) 359-3803 Utah

(Below are our policies on infection control in your home)

INFECTION CONTROL IN THE HOME

General Information:

Illnesses can be spread from one person to another by contact with infected body fluids, such as blood, urine, feces, mucus or the droplets that are sprayed into the air when a person coughs or sneezes.

Sometimes infections are spread through items which have been contaminated by drainage from the infected sores or discharge from nose, mouth, eyes, rectum, etc.

Controlling the spread of infections means interrupting the way illness travels from one person to another. Maintaining a clean environment helps keep infections under control. Also maintaining personal hygiene is very important.

 

Maintain Personal Hygiene:

  • Wash or bathe every day.
  • Wash your hair at least once weekly.
  • Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after every meal and at bedtime.
  • Keep nails trimmed and clean.
  • Wear clean clothes and underwear.
  • Change dirty clothes and bed liners as soon as you notice soiling.

Wash Your Hands Thoroughly:

  • Wet your hands with plenty of soap and water.
  • Work up a lather scrubbing your hands and wrists.
  • Briskly rub your hands together (making sure to get in cracks and between fingers.)
  • Clean under your nails.
  • Rinse your hands thoroughly.
  • Dry your hands thoroughly.

Keep Your Home Clean:

  • Avoid clutter.
  • Keep the kitchen counter clean.Mop kitchen weekly and when spills occur.
  • Wear gloves when cleaning bird cages, litter boxes, aquariums, etc.

Clean Contaminated Household and Medical Equipment Thoroughly:

  • Clean medical equipment as instructed by the provider
  • Clean with soap: dishes, denture cups, etc., weekly.
  • Change or clean medical equipment tubing as per instructions by the manufacturer.

Meet Your Health Needs:

  • Eat a balanced diet daily.
  • Drink plenty of water daily (unless otherwise instructed by your doctor).
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • Exercise, as tolerated.
  • Follow doctor’s orders for medications.
  • Avoid close contact with persons with known illnesses.
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