Many of us are feeling anxious and unsettled as we all do our part to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a challenging and stressful time, but it helps to know that we’re all in this together – family members, friends, neighbours and colleagues.
We know that news about the COVID-19 virus and the vulnerability of seniors is adding to the stress. The question on a lot of minds is “how can we protect our aging loved ones and the frontline workers who support and care for them?”
The Government of New Brunswick has been continuously updating guidelines for home care and Extra-Mural workers. In New Brunswick, we have the second highest aging population compared to other provinces, so every measure counts.
With more than 900 home-based seniors under our care, here’s what we’re doing to help keep everyone safe:
- We use advanced data and secure tracking technology, giving us the ability to monitor our operations and put response plans into action quickly, when we need them.
- We have a COVID-19 Task Force that tracks anyone showing symptoms on a daily basis.
- We anticipated the shortage of PPE weeks ago and have sourced our own supply of gloves, surgical masks, N95 masks, goggles, gowns and hand sanitizer.
- We communicate with our clients and caregivers often.
- Our caregivers call their clients to ask them screening questions before visiting.
- Our regional management teams are calling each client individually to ensure they are well cared for.
Our caregivers treat their clients like family, and likewise our caregivers are an integral part of the Kindred family.
Together with the Departments of Health and Social Development, we’re all working tirelessly to do our best for our seniors and the heroes on the front lines who care for them – because helping protect everyone is a goal we’re all working towards.
