This page is a COVID-19 Care Guide for our At Home Senior Care clients, families, caregivers, and community. It is dedicated to sharing senior care resources and best practices on how to safely provide care in the home. For the most current updates related to the pandemic, please refer to the CDC, the Vermont Department of Health, and Vermont Governor Phil Scott's press releases.

A letter from At Home Senior Care's President Regarding Covid-19

Dear Clients and Families:

At Home Senior Care is actively monitoring the progression of the coronavirus, COVID-19, to ensure that we have the most accurate and latest information on the threat of the virus.  As you know, this situation continues to develop rapidly as new cases are identified in our communities and our protocols will be adjusted as needed.

  While most cases of COVID-19 are mild, causing only fever and cough, a very small percentage of cases become severe and may progress particularly in the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Because this is the primary population that AHSC serves, we understand your concerns and want to share with you how our organization is responding to the threat of COVID-19. 

We are following updates and procedures from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Vermont Department of Health, local and county authorities, the Home Care Association of America and other agencies and resources. Our response and plans may adjust according to the recommendations from these organizations. 

· As a standard practice, we have an emergency preparedness plan in place. We will continue to follow it as this situation evolves or update it accordingly.

· All caregivers follow established protocol regarding hand hygiene and staying home when sick. This practice is not new to our staff.

· We believe that home remains the safest place for you or your loved one, as indications show that the virus is spread more quickly in facilities and larger group or public settings. Possible exposure will remain the lowest for those who are able to stay in their homes with limited outside contact. For this reason, we feel fortunate to be able to provide care that can keep people at home or limited exposure in group settings through personalized care and support.

· For clients we serve who reside in facilities or other group-type living situations, we will work closely with the facility on any protocols, exchange of information, or other guidelines as necessary.

· Many of our clients are especially at risk, given they are older adults or have underlying health issues. We are vigilant about our need to help protect these individuals from illness be it the flu, COVID-19, or any other communicable disease. These measures are not new to us as we seek to minimize risk regularly for our clients, regardless of an outbreak such as this new coronavirus.  As you may be aware, there is a limited and decreasing supply of personal protective equipment (gloves, masks, etc).  We are struggling to find and maintain adequate supply and will allocate what we are able to obtain according to recommendations by the CDC and health departments.

Contingency Planning for You or Your Loved One 

· Depending on the severity of the spread of illness in communities or the response taken by national and state authorities (ex. mandatory isolation, closure of schools, etc.), our staffing levels may be affected. As a result, we may be unable to cover all shifts. 

· We will make every effort possible to provide our clients with safe and appropriate care and seek to avoid canceling shifts, however, we cannot guarantee this will not occur given the uncertainties about this situation.

· At all times, regardless of a viral outbreak or other situation, we strongly recommend that our clients have alternative arrangements for the provisions of care in the event we are unable to provide services. We encourage you to begin considering and putting into place back-up plans now, as the severity of the spread of this illness and planned interventions is still uncertain.

What You Can Do to Protect Yourself and Your Family

· Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.

· Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.

· Eat well, drink lots of water and get rest to strengthen your immune system.

· Have a family emergency preparedness plan that includes care coverage and back up support, if possible.

· Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.

· If you have underlying medical issues that put you in the high-risk category, avoid large public gatherings or other places outside the home. Limit your contact with others.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at 802-768-8565 or your respective Client Services Manager.  I want to assure you that we are following the necessary protocol to protect our clients and your loved one. 

Sincerely, 

Melissa H. Morrison

President

Vermont 211 Is Here To Help Caregivers During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Are you concerned about meeting your basic needs during this pandemic?  Do you want to find a way to help others?   Vermont 211 is where you’ll find information to help you navigate today’s constantly changing circumstances.

211’s community resource specialists are available by phone 24/7 to help you find answers to your questions—providing information you can trust, and referrals to over 1,000 organizations that have been vetted: federal, state and local entities; non-profit organizations; churches, service organizations, and civic groups.

Because of the heightened demand for 211’s service right now, you may need to leave a message with a callback number—but it’s worth the brief wait to get personal support from a highly-trained specialist who can save you a lot of time, effort and stress.

You may also contact our specialists by texting your zip code to 898211
M-F 8am-8pm--or search our community resource directory at vermont211.org at any time. 
211: Get Connected. Get Help.

Tips On Staying Connected With Seniors During The COVID-19 Pandemic

  Us humans are social creatures, so how are we to stay connected during a pandemic when visiting in person isn’t an option?  How are we to maintain a supportive relationship with our senior family members and friends during this time?

• For quite a few people, video calling has been the solution. Using programs such as Zoom, Facetime, or Google Hangouts, virtual gatherings can occur; an excellent way not only to converse but lay eyes on loved ones to assess their stress level during these trying times.  Visit https://www.aarp.org/ for an explanation of video calling on a variety of platforms.

• If your senior enjoys pictures of the family, mail them a letter with photos! Or purchase them a digital picture frame such as one from “Skylight Frames” which can be updated remotely from your computer with new photos.

• Online “Silver Sneakers” classes offer a variety of exercise classes for older adults, and there are many options online for virtually visiting museums such as MOMA, and closer to home, our fantastic Bennington Museum’s “Tour at Ten” online program.  Team up with your favorite senior to participate in one of these options from the comfort of your home.

• The meager phone call has risen to superhero status these days. The connective tonic it offers to isolated seniors cannot be overstated. Pick up your phone, call a loved one. When you hang up, call one more person on your Rolodex list, if you don’t have a senior to call, volunteer for Institute on Aging’s ”Friendship Line” by calling 415-750-4111.

• Speaking of phone calls, Teepa Snow, a leader in dementia care, offers this suggestion. While on the phone with your senior, encourage them to pull out something that you know is in their home: hand lotion, a hairbrush, nail polish- while on the line, guide your loved one to do the activity associated with the object.  Another version of this together technique could be cooking a recipe, completing a puzzle, setting up a weather station, or watching a movie.

• Are you and your loved one avid readers? If each of you purchases the same book, you can enjoy your time reading it together. The same applies for learning a new skill in tandem, such as knitting, drawing, learning a new song, or caring for a houseplant.

     Isolation and loneliness are already health-related problems among older adults. Social distancing because of coronavirus has made these problems worse, but we can help to decrease their potency by demonstrating- I see you, and you are important to me.

     The silver lining in these activities is this: long after the scoundrel, Covid-19, is tamed with vaccination, these opportunities for connection will live on. It may have taken a pandemic to germinate a deep relationship with a senior you know, but now that you are connected, the mutual rewards of such a relationship are clear.

For more information on quality in-home care for area seniors, please contact At Home Senior Care at our Manchester office 802-768-8565 or visit www.athomeseniors.net.