COVID-19
The outbreak of COVID-19 presents one of the country's most significant challenges in recent years. We understand this is an extremely worrying time for everyone, not least for the older and more vulnerable members of society and their loved ones. Thankfully, proactive preventive measures can help mitigate the risk of spreading any virus, including this one. Our Caregivers are already well-versed in the universal precautions for infectious diseases.
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Our entire team is staying current on all relevant news about COVID-19 and sharing with our Caregivers. Our Caregivers are here to deliver essential care to clients and offer support such as advice to stay physically and mentally active and well at home. They can also support with helping older people to stay connected with family and friends remotely through technology. We're also taking this opportunity to inform our clients and their families about the preventive steps we can all take together to ensure you and your loved ones' safety and ask for your cooperation.
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Our Caregivers know to call us if they are ill so that we can send another team member. We screen all Caregivers who call off and follow up with them to ensure their health and safety. If anyone is diagnosed with COVID-19, we are committed to seeking professional advice from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health and taking appropriate action. We are following the Government's guidance on delivering home care during this time to ensure that we are reducing the risk of spreading the illness while still providing our vital service to clients to stay safe and well at home.
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Our office is working hard throughout the crisis to ensure that our clients get the support they need during this time and ensure the safety and well-being of our Caregivers as crucial workers out there delivering care at home. Below are some of the measures we have to ensure the safety of both clients and Caregivers. This includes the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and robust infection control training and hygiene measures, which our Caregivers are strictly following.
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Modern Health Home Care is working hard to continually monitor and respond to the developments around COVID-19. We are following the directions provided by the CDC and the World Health Organization.
Everything we do is always with our clients, teams and Caregivers foremost in our minds at this difficult time.
What We Know at This Time
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person, mainly between people in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching his/her mouth, nose, or eyes, but this is not thought to be the primary way the virus spreads.
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Primary Symptoms
• fever, cough, difficulty breathing
Required Precautions for Caregivers, Clients and Family Members
• We are asking clients to have hand soap and paper towels at each sink. Paper towels will be discarded after one use. If available (there is a shortage), clients also should provide hand sanitizer to be kept in the home, near the older adult.
• Immediately upon entering the house, EVERYONE (Caregivers, family members, medical teams, other visitors) must proceed to the sink to wash their hands with anti-bacterial soap. On the way to the sink, avoid touching any other surface. Dry your hands and turn off the faucet with the paper towel.
• Everyone must wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Sing the "Happy Birthday" song, slowly, two times, to make sure you are washing long enough.
• Hand-washing also must be done throughout the day. In addition to after using the restroom, wash hands before cooking, before helping/touching the client, after coughing/sneezing/blowing nose, etc.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth, or any client — with unwashed hands.
• Always sneeze or cough into a disposable Kleenex or your elbow. Only use a Kleenex one time. Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
• Until the virus outbreak has passed, there should be no shaking hands, bumping fists, or hugging. Let's all give a friendly smile to greet one another. Consider a loving wave instead of the usual hug for the time being.
• We are reminding Caregivers in the home to routinely clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
• Healthy family members should feel welcome to visit their loved ones. If you are ill with any virus, DO NOT visit until you are well.
• Gloves can create a false sense of security since they can carry the virus once an infected surface is touched. Therefore, hand washing is our most significant opportunity to prevent the spread of the virus.
• The CDC does not recommend using face masks for the general public but recommends its use by a person infected to avoid spreading the virus to others.
Travel Notifications
All clients and Caregivers must inform the Modern Health Home Care office team if they or their family members are traveling to any country for which the CDC has issued a travel advisory. As of March 11, 2020, this list includes:
• Level 3 advisory (avoid non-essential travel): China, Iran, Italy, South Korea
• Level 2 advisory (at-risk individuals should reconsider travel): Japan
• Level 1 advisory (practice precautions): Hong Kong
Other Precautions
• All clients and Caregivers must let Modern Health Home Care know if they — or any family members — have symptoms or are being treated for the virus.
We are continuously assessing our response and best practices as new information from the CDC emerges.​
Thank you for partnering with us as we work to keep you and your loved ones safe.
