As a leading provider of in-home care to seniors and other adults that need help at home, Comfort Keepers has taken swift actions and followed every precaution to help ensure the safety of our caregivers, staff and the families we serve.
The protection and well-being of all parties is our utmost concern, especially considering that our elderly clients are at higher risk due to the nature of the Coronavirus. We are being vigilant about taking every precaution as we continue to provide the uplifting care services that seniors and their families depend on every day.
In addition to the safety recommendations that have been implemented in our offices across the country, we are carefully monitoring the situation and are in regular contact with health agencies for updated information and guidance.
Comfort Keepers internal protocols include:
- As a standard practice all caregivers are instructed to stay home when sick. This is not new to our teams, but is a typical practice for those that are in contact with our clients and caregivers. As an added measure at this time, all employees that have a fever or upper respiratory infection have been asked to not only stay home, but notify the office and their healthcare provider immediately
- We also have a long-standing emergency preparedness plan in place. We will continue to follow it as this situation evolves and update it as more information is made available from national and local healthcare agencies
- As a standard practice, all caregivers complete infection control training. We have recommended that caregivers retake the training immediately if their original training was completed prior to February 1, 2020
- Prior to any face-to-face caregiver/client contact, offices will complete a Coronavirus Evaluation Form for both parties to determine risk. This form will determine if there has been suspected exposure (based on CDC risk guidelines), symptoms of Coronavirus or if someone has been asked to self-quarantine and/or tested positive for Coronavirus.
- We have ongoing communication protocols with caregivers to assess risk factors, such as travel to areas with widespread outbreaks or local contact in areas known to have reported cases. Those deemed to be high-risk will be asked to stay home, contact their physician for guidance and/or a release to work, and follow the instructions of national and local healthcare agencies.
- If a client is determined to be high-risk based on the evaluation form, or is experiencing symptoms, we will take measures to help ensure that the client is referred to a physician for further evaluation. We will limit the contact our caregivers have with these clients until level of risk is established and there is no to low- risk of exposure for the caregivers and staff
- We have ongoing communication protocols with caregivers to assess risk factors, such as travel to areas with widespread outbreaks or local contact in areas known to have reported cases. Those deemed to be high-risk will be asked to stay home, contact their physician for guidance and/or a release to work, and follow the instructions of national and local healthcare agencies.
- Per our typical infection control guidelines, in the home staff and caregivers cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, clean surfaces frequently (including countertops, light switches, cell phones, remotes) and disinfect other frequently touched items.
Please feel free to call our office at (530) 208-5152 with any questions or concerns.
