What can I expect during my home visits throughout the pandemic?
In keeping with Public Health guidelines, and to ensure we are doing our best to keep our clients, caregivers and community safe, we are actively screening all clients and family members for COVID-19. Please be advised that at every single in-home visit, our caregivers will ask the following questions:
- Do you have a new / worse cough or shortness of breath?
- Are you feeling feverish or have had shakes or chills in the last 24 hours? (A fever of > 38 degrees Celsius)
- Are you, or someone who lives with you, currently self-isolating?
- Has anyone in the home had influenza-like symptoms within the last 14 days?
- Have you, or anyone you have come in contact with, traveled within the last 14 days? If so, where?
- Have you had contact in the last 14 days with anyone who was unwell?
We currently recommend that our caregivers wear masks and gloves when providing direct client care.
We are fully compliant with all recommendations from Public Health officials. All of our caregivers are specially trained in best practices around infection control, hand hygiene and preparedness for COVID-19. We provide regular updates and education to our caregivers to ensure they stay safe in the community.
As a client, what does Kindred Home Care require of me?
To keep you and our caregivers safe, we ask that family members try to keep their distance from our caregivers as much as possible. If you have masks at home, please consider wearing one when your caregiver visits your home.
We also remind you to please follow recommendations from GNB regarding physical distancing. We encourage our clients to remain at home as much as possible, leaving only for essential reasons such as medical visits, grocery shopping and / or pharmacy visits. If you go for a walk, please be mindful to stay at least 6 feet (2 metres) away from other people.
We are also encouraging our clients to limit visitors during this time, even if they are family members. If someone is shopping for you, ask them to leave the items at your door, maintain 6 feet (2 metres) of physical distance and not enter your home.
I would like to place my services on hold until the COVID-19 pandemic is over. What should I do?
We understand this is a stressful and uncertain time for our clients and their families. We will do our best to accommodate all requests. Should you wish to place your in-home care on hold, please contact our office. A hold will remain in place until you contact us again to resume services. You will not lose your service if you put it on hold due to COVID-19.
We cannot guarantee that you will get the same caregiver back after you resume service; however, we will make every effort we can to restore your services back to how they were pre-pandemic.
I am experiencing flu-like symptoms or I have tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?
Please call our office immediately. A Manager or Care Support Specialist will follow up with you. We will work with you to prepare a plan of action that will protect our caregivers while being able to provide any essential care that you may need.
Will my services be cancelled because of COVID-19?
If the number of people in NB with positive COVID-19 tests start to rise, the chances of a Kindred Home Care client or caregiver coming into close contact with someone who has tested positive also increases. As soon as we become aware of any situation where this has happened, we will act swiftly, with direction from NB Public Health, to prevent further spread of infection.
We will work through each affected client’s situation on a case-by-case basis. Our first priority is always to ensure the safety of our clients and our employees. We may need to cancel or modify services to prevent the spread of infection on very short notice. We ask for your patience in advance as we continue to work through this challenging time.
I returned from my international travels (including the U.S.), and I would like my services resumed. What are the steps I need to take?
At this time, by law, all individuals returning to Canada must self-isolate for 14 days. This means you cannot leave your house for any reason, including buying groceries, for 14 days after arriving in Canada.
Please contact our office and let us know that you have recently returned to Canada. A Manager will follow up with you to complete an assessment and make a plan as to when you can resume in-home care.
What is Kindred Home Care doing to protect caregivers who have had to stop working?
The well-being and safety of our clients and staff is, and always will be, our top priority. We continue to work closely with the Department of Health, Public Health Agencies and other community partners to ensure we have the latest information so we can educate and equip our staff and clients as best as possible. We are ensuring that our employees are compensated if they cannot work during this time.
What precautions are being taken when my caregiver goes to several clients and then comes to me?
Infection prevention is especially important when caregivers are moving from client to client. This is why our caregivers are performing screening assessments prior to each client visit and practicing precautions as directed by Public Health. They have been provided training and education on the correct techniques for donning and doffing personal protective equipment between clients. Caregivers are also trained to practice stringent hand hygiene before and after every client visit, as the best way to prevent the spread of infection.
Is it possible to have the same caregiver for all of my visits?
Continuity of care is something that we take very seriously and it is wonderful when we have the ability to schedule a single worker for each client. However, this is not always possible due to scheduling conflicts related to the provision of time-sensitive care to other clients, as well as caregiver availability.
If you have any questions that have not be answered here, please reach out to us at any time. We are here to help and make in-home care safe and comfortable now and always.
