4 Tips To Evaluate Home Care Options During COVID-19

When faced with finding a compassionate caregiver for an aging loved one, there are many choices to consider. Is it better for your loved one to stay in their own home and have caregivers visit them there? Would they enjoy more social interaction by living in an assisted living or continuing care community? Or would they require full-time nursing care in a long-term care facility? 

Keep in mind, the majority of senior living communities have taken EXTRAORDINARY measures to meet and overcome COVID-19 challenges. There have been a number of senior living communities that have been heavily challenged by COVID-19 activity in part due to close contact between caregivers, staff and patients. To reduce exposure, care facilities have implemented more strict health and safety measures like wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), reducing physical contact and practicing enhanced hygiene. With visitors limited or even barred entirely, many caregivers are rethinking where their loved ones will be safest and happiest. 

Because of these and other factors, caring for loved ones in a home environment is gaining even more consideration as a safe scenario for many older adults needing care. This shift has caused home care providers to put extensive safety protocols for their staff in place. But even with the new safeguards, it’s important for everyone’s safety to follow the tips below before choosing a home care or a senior living provider while the coronavirus is still a threat.

1. Don’t rely on verbal safety assurances. Ask to see the written safety and infection prevention protocols for both employee and client protection. If there is no written policy, that’s a red flag. In addition to a written safety policy, the provider should be able to substantiate how it distributes the appropriate PPE to all caregivers.
2. Verify testing and contact tracing procedures. Make sure the provider is testing not only its caregivers but all of its employees for COVID-19 if there is any hint of exposure. Ask to see the protocol the provider has in place for daily health assessments and how they will follow up if symptoms are found. This could be a written log or an electronic system that keeps track of all interactions and activities of care workers that can be used to help prevent exposed workers from infecting others.
3. Set up communication procedures. Make sure there is a process for open communication between clients/residents, family members and caregivers. Some families provide a notebook for daily comments from caregivers, while other home care and senior living providers have daily electronic communication with clients and/or their loved one to keep track of and communicate any changes in health or signs of COVID-19.
4. Ask about the notification policy for requests or schedule changes. Some home care providers have website-based logins for clients/family members to use when requesting scheduling changes, making special requests or asking questions. During COVID-19, having a convenient and trackable way to make scheduling changes is helpful, so ask about their process for letting your care provider know when you have special or changing needs.

Choosing a home care or senior living provider for your loved one during the coronavirus pandemic requires doing your due diligence to ensure their safety. Don’t be reluctant to ask the tough questions of the care providers because keeping your loved one healthy and happy is always priority #1.