Category Archives: Home Care Posts

Our Blog posts with information, options and tips for families and caregivers on Home Care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and people recovering from surgery or illness.

How Much Does 24 Hour Home Care Cost?

24 Hour in-home care is about $576 a day for the care needs of one person or $624 a day for two people to receive care.

24 Hour home care costs are a little more than nursing home costs. However, your loved one receives individual, one on one care versus the shared care of a nursing home.

With 24 Hour care, two caregivers are scheduled daily with each caregiver working a 12-hour shift.

In some situations for medical or other reasons, it can be better to have 3 caregivers each working 8-hour shifts.

In most cases, 24 Hour care isn’t needed and Live-in Care is a better and less expensive option.

Live-in home care costs are about half of 24 Hour in-home care costs.

With Live-In home care, a single caregiver provides to the needs of your loved one in a 24 hour time period.

One Live-in caregiver is scheduled for a maximum of 4 or 5 days per week and switches with a different Live-in caregiver for the remainder of the week. Generally, the care is provided by only two caregivers over the course of the week, versus two or three caregivers in a day.

Over a 24 hour day, the Live-in caregiver is given a 4-hour break from care duties to rest and rejuvenate. If the situation requires it, an additional hourly caregiver can cover these 4 hours.

The Live-in caregiver also has an 8 hour sleeping period. With Live-in care a bedroom in the house must be provided for the Live-in caregiver to sleep.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts and serves the Greater Boston communities in Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth counties.

We provide private in-home care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We provide both short-term and long-term in-home care needs from as little as one 4 hour day a week to 24 Hour Care and Live-In Care.

We offer a full range of in-home personal care services including Bathing Assistance, Personal Hygiene and Grooming, Dressing Assistance, Toileting and Incontinence Assistance, Feeding Assistance, and Medication Reminders.

We also provide support services such as Case Management, Accompaniment to Appointments, Nutrition and Meal Management, Light Housekeeping and Laundry Services, Bed and Wheel Chair Transfers, and Shopping and Running Errands.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs and get a quote, please call us to speak to a Case Manager at (800) 296-9962 or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.


 

EPA-Approved Products Proven To Kill The COVID-19 Virus

The CDC states that the primary and most important mode of transmission for COVID-19 is through close contact from person-to-person. Based on data from lab studies on COVID-19 and what is know about similar respiratory diseases, 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 their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this isn’t thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Best practices to minimize the possibility of transmission is to sanitized all surfaces, especially frequently touched surfaces as often with a sanitiser that kills the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added to its list of products that have proven effective in killing the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on hard surfaces, based laboratory testing. This update brings the total number of products approved by the EPA for use against SARS-CoV-2 virus to 23 products:

1. Lysol Disinfectant Spray
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium, ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
EPA registration number: 777-99

2. Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium, ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
EPA registration number: 777-127

3. Lysol Disinfecting Wipes (all scents)
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 777-114

4. Lysol Laundry Sanitizer
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 777-128

5. Lonza Formulation R-82
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-78

6. Lonza Formulation S-21
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-75

7. Lonzagard RCS-256 Plus
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-349

8. Lonzagard RCS-128 PLUS
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-348

9. Lonzagard RCS-128
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-347

10. Lonzagard RCS-256
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-346

11. Lonza Formulation R-82F
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-139

12. Lonzagard R-82G
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-381

13. Lonza Formulation S-18
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-77

14. Lonza Formulation DC-103
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-152

15. Lonza Formulation S-21F
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-140

16. Lonza Formulation S-18F
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-136

17. Lonza Disinfectant Wipes
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-313

18. Lonza Nugen Low Streak Disinfectant Wipes
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-382

19. Lonza Disinfectant Wipes Plus
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-336

20. Lonza Disinfectant Wipes Plus 2
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 6836-340

21. Clorox Commercial Solutions Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 67619-31

22. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 5813-79

23. CDW (from The Clorox Company)
Active ingredients: Quaternary ammonium
EPA registration number: 5813-113

It is also important to wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer correctly when soap and water are not available.

For a PDF version please click here.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts and serves the Greater Boston communities in Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth counties.

Unique HomeCare Services provides private in-home care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We provide both short-term and long-term in-home care needs from as little as one 4 hour day a week to 24 Hour Care and Live-In Care.

We offer a full range of in-home personal care services including Bathing, Personal Hygiene and Grooming, Dressing Assistance, Toileting and Incontinence, Feeding, and Medication Reminders.

We also provide support services such as Case Management, Accompaniment to Appointments, Nutrition and Meal Management, Light Housekeeping and Laundry Services, Bed and Wheel Chair Transfers, and Shopping and Running Errands.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs and get a quote, please call us to speak to a Case Manager at (800) 296-9962 or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

Pros and Cons of Aging In Place

“Aging in Place” is the desire to live in your own home in later life, for as long as you are able.

Remaining in your own home may involve social support, in-home care services and adapting the home to help you live safely and independently.

AARP reports that nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age.

Over 50% of family members are now more likely to choose in-home care for their loved ones than they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent survey by Transcend Strategy Group.

Advantages of Aging in Place:

• Maintains the familiar home environment and avoids the stress and anxiety of moving into a long-term care facility.

• Fosters the continuity of community for the senior.

• Keeps the senior’s valuable social networks intact.

• Provides cost savings over other long-term care options.

• Strengthens the family.

• Promotes greater senior physical and mental health.

Disadvantages of Aging in Place:

• Low, moderate, or high investment in home modifications dependent on the need and the home situation.

• Senior resistance to any home modifications and helpful technology.

For more information on go to our Directory of Aging in Place Resources.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts and serves the Greater Boston communities in Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth counties.

We provide private in-home care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We provide both short-term and long-term in-home care needs from as little as one 4 hour day a week to 24 Hour Care and Live-In Care.

We offer a full range of in-home personal care services including Bathing Assistance, Personal Hygiene and Grooming, Dressing Assistance, Toileting and Incontinence Assistance, Feeding Assistance, and Medication Reminders.

We also provide support services such as Case Management, Accompaniment to Appointments, Nutrition and Meal Management, Light Housekeeping and Laundry Services, Bed and Wheel Chair Transfers, and Shopping and Running Errands.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs and get a quote, please call us to speak to a Case Manager at (800) 296-9962 or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.


 

COVID-19, the Elderly and In-Home Care

During this time when staying at home and socially distancing is essential, it is also important to keep seniors safe, reassured, active and well cared for.

Safe At Home

Seniors are safest at home, away from the risk of COVID-19. Unique HomeCare Services focuses on care and supportive services allowing seniors to stay in the comfort and safety of their home.

Safe Care

Our caregivers are trained in infectious disease control and safe senior care. All our caregivers have taken a COVID-19 Certification course on reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Support Services

Our caregivers can pick up prescriptions, shop for groceries and other essentials to limit the chance of transmission to our clients. We can help also help with meals and other necessities.

Our caregivers can provide light housekeeping and laundry services to ensure that all surfaces in the home are disinfected to keep our seniors safe and healthy.

Our staff follows hygiene procedures as directed by the CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Health.

Staying Social

During this time of social distancing, seniors may become socially isolated in addition to being physically isolated.

Unique HomeCare Services helps seniors fight depression and loneliness, especially while remaining isolated in their home during the current crisis.

We keep our seniors active, optimistic and socially engaged.

Family Support

When a senior is in our care, so is their entire family. We are a supportive resource to address questions and concerns.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts and serves the Greater Boston communities in Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth counties.

We provide private in-home care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We provide both short-term and long-term in-home care needs from as little as one 4 hour day a week to 24 Hour Care and Live-In Care.

We offer a full range of in-home personal care services including Bathing Assistance, Personal Hygiene and Grooming, Dressing Assistance, Toileting and Incontinence Assistance, Feeding Assistance, and Medication Reminders.

We also provide support services such as Case Management, Accompaniment to Appointments, Nutrition and Meal Management, Light Housekeeping and Laundry Services, Bed and Wheel Chair Transfers, and Shopping and Running Errands.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs and get a quote, please call us to speak to a Case Manager at (800) 296-9962 or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

 

COVID-19 Basic Information And Facts

There is much misinformation on COVID-19 spread by social media and the rumor mill. Not only can this misinformation create panic, but it is also dangerous as proper prevention based on science and fact may not be used.

Know the facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and help stop the spread of rumors.

What Is A Novel Coronavirus?

A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019, called COVID-19, is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness like the common cold.

A diagnosis of coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis.

Putting COVID-19 Into Perspective

As COVID-19 is newly discovered much about the virus is unknown or unconfirmed and more is learned daily.

The current mortality rate figures for COVID-19 maybe deceptively high as health officials say the number of those with the virus may be under-reported which could lower the mortality rate significantly.

There is currently a 3.4% mortality rate globally for COVID-19 versus a mortality rate for previous outbreaks of 9.6% for SARS, 34% for MERS, and 0.02% for Swine Flu. The mortality rate of the common flu this season is 0.1% in the US., which sounds low, but has caused 46,000 deaths this flu season. Thus, the common flu this season is 5 times deadlier than Swine Flu.

The concern with COVID-19 is it seems more contiguous than the common flu and more deadly.

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. The transmission is between people who are in close contact with one another, meaning within about 6 feet.

The transmission is through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby and possibly be inhaled into their lungs.

Can Someone Spread The Virus Without Being Sick?

People with the virus are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic, meaning the sickest.

Some transmission might be possible before people show symptoms. There have been reports of this occurring with COVID-19. However, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Can The Virus Spread From Contact With Contaminated Surfaces Or Objects?

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 their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. But this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

For safety until more is known, it should be assumed that the virus can be transmitted from contaminated surfaces or objects.

How Easily Does COVID-19 Spread?

How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person varies. Some viruses are highly contagious and spread easily like the measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.

COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community in some geographic areas. This is called “community spread”. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

Who Is At Higher Risk?

According to the World Health Organization, “older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes, appear to develop serious illness more often than others.”

Although most people infected will COVID-19 have mild symptoms, about one in five require hospitalization.

So far there have been no fatalities of children under age 9 and the highest number of deaths have occurred to those 80 or older.

What Are The Symptoms of COVID-19?

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

· Fever

· Cough

· Shortness of breath

Just because a person exhibits these symptoms does not mean they have COVID-19. All the normal illnesses are still out there, the common flu, colds, and pollen season is starting.

Reduce Your Risk Of Getting Sick

· Clean your hands often and properly during the day. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place. 20 seconds is much longer than you think. Washing your hands does not kill germs. You are scrubbing the germs off and washing them away. Use a timer if needed.

· If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

· As much as possible, avoid touching high use surfaces in public places such as elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

· Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

· Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs. Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. For example: table tops, counters doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, and sinks

· Clean your cell phone several times a day. Realize that your hands touch surfaces with germs all day. Your hands then touch your cell home, using apps, texting, etc., and you then place the cell phone next to your face when making calls.

· Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

· Avoid all non-essential travel.

· You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.

For a PDF version please click here.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services provides private in-home care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We provide both short-term and long-term in-home care needs from as little as one 4 hour day a week to 24 Hour Care and Live-In Care.

We offer a full range of in-home personal care services including Bathing, Personal Hygiene and Grooming, Dressing Assistance, Toileting and Incontinence, Feeding, and Medication Reminders.

We also provide support services such as Case Management, Accompaniment to Appointments, Nutrition and Meal Management, Light Housekeeping and Laundry Services, Bed and Wheel Chair Transfers, and Shopping and Running Errands.

Unique HomeCare Services is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts and serves the surrounding communities.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs and get a quote, please call us to speak to a Case Manager at (800) 296-9962 or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

 

Unique HomeCare Services and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Reducing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) especially in the high-risk population we service is of vital importance.

Our procedures have always emphasized infection control and prevention to minimize transmission between our clients and staff, including proper hand washing before giving care, using disposal gloves during care, and properly hand washing after giving care.

Per the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for Agency Based In-Home Caregivers & Workers, please see the guidance below, we have reviewed our procedures.

During this heightened period of concern we have:

· Employees review of all Unique HomeCare Services procedures.

· Employees review COVID-19 information and updates from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as they are released.

· Plans to address possible workforce shortages.

Please contact Unique HomeCare Services with any questions or concerns.

 

Agency Based In-Home Caregivers & Workers
(e.g. Home Health Agencies, Personal Care Management Agencies, Home Care Agencies, Adult Foster Care, etc.)
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance

March 2020

This guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of 2019 novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is working closely with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide updated information about the COVID-19 outbreak. This guidance will be updated as needed and as additional information is available. Please regularly check mass.gov/2019coronavirus for updated interim guidance. Additionally, if you are a CMS-certified agency, please review and stay updated on CMS guidance. Each organization faces specific challenges associated with implementation based on its population, physical space, staffing, etc., and will need to tailor these guidelines accordingly. This guidance is intended to supplement, not supplant, provisions from regulatory agencies that oversee health care organizations. Organizations may develop their own policies, but these policies should be based on current science and facts and they should never compromise a client’s or employee’s health.

Background

What is Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how does it spread?

· COVID-19 is a respiratory virus. Current symptoms have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever cough, and difficulty breathing.

· According to CDC, the virus is spread mainly from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with each other (within about 6 feet).

· Spread is from respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Who should be most cautious?

· Those considered “high risk” include people over the age of 60, anyone with underlying health conditions or a weakened immune system, and pregnant women.

What should agencies be doing to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19?

Screen yourself, staff, vendors, and clients for any of the conditions below:

· Sick with fever (higher than 100.3 o F) or newly developed respiratory illness such as cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat.

· Recent international travel (i.e., within the past 14 days) from COVID-19-affected geographic areas.

· Close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 14 days

Preparing and Educating Staff:

· During times of COVID-19 circulation in the community, ensure employees are able to stay home if they have symptoms of acute respiratory illness or if they need to care for a sick family member.

· Make sure your employees are aware of these policies. Do not require a healthcare providers’ note to
validate illness or return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely
busy and not able to provide this documentation.

· If employees become ill with respiratory symptoms while at work, they should be sent home as soon as possible.

· Make sure your employees are aware of these policies. Sick persons should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or cough into their elbow or shoulder if tissues are not available) and perform hand hygiene immediately after.

· Those with symptoms of acute respiratory illness should stay home and not return to work until they are free of fever (oral thermometer temperature of less than 100.3 degrees) and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without use of fever-reducing or other symptom altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).

· If an employee is diagnosed with COVID-19 they cannot return to work until they have been authorized to leave their home by their local board of health.

Identify ways to limit direct person-to-person contact by leveraging technology, where appropriate.

Provide access to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as facemasks and gloves, as available.

· CDC recommends universal use of Standard Precautions when caring for any client.

· Reinforce the importance of strict adherence to Standard Precautions during all client encounters.

· Standard Precautions are based on the principles that all blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions (except sweat), nonintact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible infectious agents.

· For example, a facemask and eye protection should be worn during the care of any client if splashes, sprays or coughs could occur during the client encounter.

· Similarly, gloves should be worn if contact with body fluids, mucous membranes, or nonintact skin is anticipated.

Avoid unnecessary out of state or international travel and avoid large gatherings or crowds.

· Agency staff, and especially caregivers, provide essential services that help others to function throughout their daily lives. Agency staff health and the health of those you serve is of utmost importance.

· Agencies should set up ways to appropriately limit staff travel and possible exposure.

· Cancel large and do not attend large gatherings of more than 250 people.

Reinforce the practice of good daily hygiene with all staff.

· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially:

· After going to the bathroom;

· Before eating;

· After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; and

· Upon entering and exiting the client’s home.
· If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

· Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose of tissue.

· Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth without first carefully washing your hands.

· Properly clean all frequently touched surfaces on a regular basis using everyday cleaning products.

· Avoid sharing dishes, drinking glasses, eating utensils, or towels.

· Wash dirty dishes in a dishwasher or, if by hand, with warm water and soap.

· Laundry can be washed in a standard washing machine with warm water. It is not necessary to separate laundry used by a client from other household laundry.

· In order to avoid germs, do not shake dirty laundry or “hug” dirty laundry to your chest to carry it.  Monitor staff emotional health.

· Emotional reactions to stressful situations such as new viruses are expected. Remind staff that feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or having trouble sleeping or other symptoms of distress is normal.

· If symptoms become worse, last longer than a month, or if they struggle to participate in their usual daily activities, have them reach out for support and help.

Monitor staff emotional health.

· Emotional reactions to stressful situations such as new viruses are expected. Remind staff that feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed, or having trouble sleeping or other symptoms of distress is normal.

· If symptoms become worse, last longer than a month, or if they struggle to participate in their usual daily activities, have them reach out for support and help.

· If one is available, encourage employees to call their Employee Assistance Program. The National Disaster Distress Helpline is available with 24/7 emotional support and crisis counseling for anyone experiencing distress or other mental health concerns. Calls (1-800-985-5990) and texts (text TalkWithUs to 66746) are answered by trained counselors who will listen to your concerns, explore coping and other available supports, and offer referrals to community resources for follow-up care and support.

Complete the Coronavirus COVID-19 In-Home Care Agency Checklist Tool on pages 4-8.

Organizational Preparedness. These preparedness steps may help protect your agency while minimizing disruption to your important services.

· Develop or review business continuity plans for how to keep critical services going if staffing levels drop due to illness or taking care of ill family members or children that may be temporarily out of child care or school settings.

· Be prepared to change your practices as needed to maintain critical operations (e.g., prioritize clients or temporarily suspend some services, if needed).

· You may also wish to refer to CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and
Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

· Cross-train personnel to perform essential functions so the site can operate even if key staff are absent.

· Assure you have adequate supplies of soap, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, and garbage bags. If possible, a supply of disposable gloves and paper facemasks will be useful if persons become ill while at your program site.

Steps to follow if staff, or someone they know or care for is sick:

If staff are sick:

· They should stay home and not come to work. Do not schedule them to work if they are sick.

· Follow the steps outlined on page 9.

Follow the flow chart on page 9 to determine the best care path for an individual for whom your agency provides care and who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is experiencing symptoms.

If you have staff that live with a sick individual some general guidance to share with them includes:

· Keeping the sick person in a separate, well-ventilated room and apart from other people and pets as much as possible.

· If a separate space is not available, keeping a distance of at least six feet from people who are well.

· A sick person who is coughing or sneezing should wear a mask when around other people. If the sick
person cannot wear a mask, the caregiver should wear a mask. The bathroom should be cleaned every day using a household disinfectant according to the directions on the label. Wear gloves while cleaning.

· Providing the sick person with a separate bathroom if available and a trash bag within reach.

· Limiting activities outside the home until the sick person is feeling well for at least one day.

· Limiting outside visitors.

Coronavirus COVID-19 In-Home Care Agency Checklist Tool (Page 1 of 4)

1. Review your Emergency Plan/Continuity of Operations Plan.
2. Update your Plan to reflect changes based on your review and current situation.
3. Update all workforce contact information.
4. Coordinate with local emergency operations/ local health department/health care coalition
5. Review personnel policies with regard to use of personal time, sick time, overtime. Develop
contingency policies.
6. Check with your vendors about supply chain especially those that provide you with medications for your clients.
7. Plan to address workforce shortages. Contract with other agencies for additional workforce.
8. Develop a plan to cross train workforce wherever possible.
9. Develop a questionnaire to identify which workforce members are available to work extra and flexible hours. Also identify workforce members that may be employed by another health care provider as they may have a commitment to that organization in an emergent situation.
10. Communicate your plan with partner agencies.
11. Help your workforce develop a plan for their families.

CLIENT CARE

1. Assess your Client Classification Levels for possible triage and keep hard copy easily accessible. Do this on a regular basis while we are in this current situation.
2. Identify client family members who may be able to take on more care responsibility if necessary.
3. Develop a Back Up Care Plan.
a. List names and responsibilities.
b. Get governing authority approval.
4. Begin to develop plans for possible surge capacity based on staffing and client classification levels. This means forecasting with a possible significantly reduced workforce.
5. Develop alternate staffing patterns such as longer days.
6. Ask screening questions before each visit and identify responsible person for conducting screening (scheduler, supervisor, worker, etc.).

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

1. Communicate with local emergency preparedness organizations.
2. Assign one person to monitor daily updates from CDC, DPH, and World Health Organization.
3. Be aware of state updates, resources and communications.

INFECTION CONTROL AND PREVENTION

1. Educate/re-educate workforce in the following:
a. Standard Precaution
b. Transmission- based precautions such as
1) contact
2) droplet
2. Review Nursing Bag Technique with all field personnel.
3. Download multi-lingual client seasonal influenza information and distribute to clients and
their family members.
4. Re-educate workforce on handwashing protocols using running water and waterless hand
sanitizers.
5. Offer seasonal influenza vaccination to workforce and clients.
6. Check PPE supplies and dates. Move outdated to back and label as outdated but do not discard at this time.
7. Educate workforce again in donning and doffing of PPE and in sequential order.
8. Review your infection control policies for surveillance, recognition, identification and reporting requirements for workforce and clients.
9. Have a process to monitor and report any workforce or client illnesses in your organization.
10. Develop an occupational health plan and policies for any workforce members with an exposure to COVID-19.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services provides private in-home care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We provide both short-term and long-term in-home care needs from as little as one 4 hour day a week to 24 Hour Care and Live-In Care.

We offer a full range of in-home personal care services including Bathing, Personal Hygiene and Grooming, Dressing Assistance, Toileting and Incontinence, Feeding, and Medication Reminders.

We also provide support services such as Case Management, Accompaniment to Appointments, Nutrition and Meal Management, Light Housekeeping and Laundry Services, Bed and Wheel Chair Transfers, and Shopping and Running Errands.

Unique HomeCare Services is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts and serves the surrounding communities.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs and get a quote, please call us to speak to a Case Manager at (800) 296-9962 or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

 

Local Home Care Services

If you or a loved one needs care after a hospitalization, illness or an accident, you need reliable and trustworthy home care services.

Best homecare norwood

Asking family or friends who they used for home care can let you know who they recommend and who to stay away from. This information is extremely helpful as personal experience is so important to get the right care for your needs.

Calling your local Better Business Bureau, local Chamber of Commerce, Senior Center, or Town Hall, can give you information on highly rated companies in your area.

The Different Types Of Home Care Available

Nursing Care

The most common form of health care at home is some type of nursing care. A registered nurse will work with your doctor to set up a plan of care. This type of home care typically includes medical care such as ostomy care, pain control, intravenous therapy, administering medication, wound dressing changes, monitoring vitals, and related medical services.

Homemaker Services

When a patient is being medically cared for in the home, they are often not able to do basic chores, and Homemaker or basic assistance care. services are needed to maintain the household with tasks such as shopping,  meal preparation, laundry, light housekeeping, transportation, and other housekeeping chores.

Home Health Aides

Home health aides are hired to help the patient with his or her basic personal needs such as bathing, toileting, getting out of bed,  dressing, and walking.

Companionship

Patients that are home alone they benefit from Companionship services to provide support, monitoring, and maybe care oversight. Companions, if needed, may perform occasional household duties.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services provides in-home care for elders and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We offer a full range of in-home care services such as personal care, grooming and incontinence care, bathing and dressing, post-hospitalization care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, and medication management.

We also provide non-medical support services such as meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, caring companionship, shopping/errands, accompanying to medical and other appointments, as well as case management services.

Our services are available for long-term and short-term care needs from as little as a one 4 hour day visit a week to 24 Hour and Live-In Care.

We also offer Respite Care services to assist family caregivers going away or with caregiver fatigue.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

Our service area is Boston, Norwood, Dedham, Westwood, Walpole, Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, Avon, Braintree, Easton, Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, and surrounding towns.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation full In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs of you or your loved one please call us at (800) 296-9962 to speak to a Case Manager or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

 

Finding The Best Home Care Agency

The best home care agencies provide services that sets them apart from other home care agencies. This is a list of best practices and qualities that professional agencies exemplify on a daily basis that set them apart.

Unique HomeCare Services

Staff Screening

Thorough screening of staff is essential to protecting your loved ones. The best agencies will screen staff with background checks and a thorough check of all work and personal references. This ensures that each employee has impeccable references and a history of reliability and treating people with dignity and respect. Candidates also undergo a thorough interview process to make sure that each employee has the requisite skills, education, and attitude necessary to provide the most competent, compassionate, and caring services available.

Staff Experience

The best home care agencies recruit staff with the most experience providing home care services. They make sure their staff had the proper credentials and the programs they graduated from are accredited programs. They also take the time to work with the staff in the home, for a period of time, to make sure that they deliver the services in a competent, and caring way, and to make sure that the patient feels comfortable with the care provider.

Flexibility

The best home care agency recruit staff that can be flexible with their hours. Thus, when a client requires additional care, the staff can accommodate their increased need. The agency also needs sufficient backup staff that can meet any increased care needs including nights and weekend.

They Care

The best home care agencies recruit the type of caregiver that they would want to care for their own parents. They look for staff with a positive, cooperative attitude. The correct attitude and values need come from the top down in the company. They understand that caring for someone means treating them as a human being first and is of the utmost importance. They understand that respecting people shows that you care.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services provides in-home care for elders and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We offer a full range of in-home care services such as personal care, grooming and incontinence care, bathing and dressing, post-hospitalization care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, and medication management.

We also provide non-medical support services such as meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, caring companionship, shopping/errands, accompanying to medical and other appointments, as well as case management services.

Our services are available for long-term and short-term care needs from as little as a one 4 hour day visit a week to 24 Hour and Live-In Care.

We also offer Respite Care services to assist family caregivers going away or with caregiver fatigue.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

Our service area is Boston, Norwood, Dedham, Westwood, Walpole, Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, Avon, Braintree, Easton, Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, and surrounding towns.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation full In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs of you or your loved one please call us at (800) 296-9962 to speak to a Case Manager or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

 

Options When 24 Hour Care Is Needed

The advantages of 24 hour in-home care or Live-in home care over an assisted living facility or nursing home are lower costs, one-on-one-care versus shared care, and the ability of the person to stay in their home.

24 HOUR CARE

24 Hour Care

Typically 24 hour care is given by two caregivers who are scheduled daily and each working one 12 hour shift. In many cases, it makes more sense for medical or other reasons if there are 3 caregivers who each work an 8-hour shift.

These shifts do not involve a caregiver sleeping in the home to provide care. With 12 hour shifts, the caregivers usually work no more than 4 times per week.

24 hour care is billed at an hourly rate.

Advantages of 24 Hour Care

With 24 hour care, a caregiver will be with your loved one at all times, day or night.

The caregivers are awake all night and day to ensure that your loved one has someone there to give care 24 hours a day.

Many people prefer this option, especially if your loved one has a condition in which they wander or need care at all hours of the day or night.  24 hour care allows caregivers to be more alert because they are replaced with another fresh caregiver every 8 or 12 hours.

Disadvantages of 24 Hour Care

The disadvantage of 24 hour care is the higher cost versus Live-in care, as 24 hour care is billed at an hourly versus a flat rate with Live-in rate. Live-in care is about half the cost of 24 hour care.

Additionally, 24 hour care has less continuity of caregivers, making this less desirable where the client wants or needs the same person providing all the care.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services provides private in-home care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We provide both short-term and long-term in-home care needs from as little as one 4 hour day a week to 24 Hour Care and Live-In Care.

We offer a full range of in-home personal care services including Bathing, Personal Hygiene, Dressing Assistance, Toileting and Incontinence, Feeding, and Medication Reminders.

We also provide support services such as Case Management, Accompaniment to Appointments, Nutrition and Meal Management, Light Housekeeping and Laundry Services, Bed and Wheel Chair Transfers, and Shopping and Running Errands.

Our service area is Boston, Norwood, Dedham, Westwood, Walpole, Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, Avon, Braintree, Easton, Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, and surrounding towns.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs and get a quote, please call us to speak to a Case Manager at (800) 296-9962 or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

 

Options When Live-In Care Is Needed

Advantages of in-home live-in care or 24 hour home care over an assisted living facility or nursing home is are lower costs and the ability of the individual to stay in their home.

LIVE IN CARE

Live-In Care

Live-In care involves a single caregiver providing care to the client in a 24 hour time frame. Typically, the caregiver is scheduled for a maximum of four or five days per week. For the remainder of the days of the week, a different caregiver attends to the client.

In a 24 hour period, it is customary for a 4 hour break to be given to the Live-in caregiver. One must decide if they would like to provide additional home healthcare coverage for these 4 hours.

The caregiver for the Live in shift is provided with an 8 hour sleeping break and a bed must be provided for the caregiver.

Billing for Live in caregivers is done at a flat rate per day.  Coverage for the 4 hour break if needed is paid on an hourly rate.

Advantages of Live-In Care

Live-in caregiver rates are half the cost of 24 hour care.

With Live-in care the number of caregivers is reduced. Ideally, two caregivers are scheduled for the whole week coverage. This provides the client with the consistency of care and gives the senior, disabled, or post hospitalized person an opportunity to get to know and build a relationship with their two caregivers.

Disadvantages of Live-In Care

One disadvantage of using Live-in care is that there is a 4 hour break given to the daytime caregiver. You have to decide if care during the break period is needed and if so, who provides this care, a family or another caregiver. If care is provided during the break, there is an additional hourly cost on top of the flat live-in rate.

As the caregiver is given a mandatory 8 hour sleeping break, there is no direct care or supervision during this 8 hour time frame.

How To Decide Which Type Of Care Is Better

To determine which option, Live-in care or 24 hour care is needed, we suggest you have an In-Home Assessment. Then together we can help you determine the best type of care for you or your loved one.

We also recommend getting the input of your medical care team so that you can make an informed decision that takes into account your medical, emotional, and financial considerations.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services provides private in-home care for elders, those with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We provide both short-term and long-term in-home care needs from as little as one 4 hour day a week to 24 Hour Care and Live-In Care.

We offer a full range of in-home personal care services including Bathing, Personal Hygiene and Grooming, Dressing Assistance, Toileting and Incontinence, Feeding, and Medication Reminders.

We also provide support services such as Case Management, Accompaniment to Appointments, Nutrition and Meal Management, Light Housekeeping and Laundry Services, Bed and Wheel Chair Transfers, and Shopping and Running Errands.

Unique HomeCare Services is headquartered in Norwood, Massachusetts and serves the surrounding Greater Boston communities.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs and get a quote, please call us to speak to a Case Manager at (800) 296-9962 or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.