Working Together to Stay Safe During the Pandemic

masked-caregiver-and-senior-talking
With the Delta variant surge, it’s more important than ever to work together to help older adults stay safe during the pandemic.

While many aspects of life have returned to normal in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Delta variant surge has had a significant impact on Florida residents in particular. At Jewish Family Home Care, we are committed to working together to help our staff and clients stay safe during the pandemic. The safety protocols that were implemented in early spring 2020 continue to be put into practice, and even enhanced, based upon evolving understanding and advice from trusted scientific experts.

We know that for clients and their families, maintaining a sense of normalcy, while prioritizing safety is important. That’s why our care team receives ongoing training, not only on topics related to meeting the care needs of clients, but also on COVID safety protocols such as frequent hand washing, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and more. When families partner with Jewish Family Home Care they can feel confident knowing:

  • All staff receive regular COVID-19 testing through our sister agency – Nursing Plus of Broward
  • Face masks and gloves are distributed monthly to staff members in order to keep them and their clients safe
  • Caregivers and clients receive regular wellness calls in order to determine any needs and provide ongoing support
  • Caregivers provide clients with safe, accompanied transportation to medical appointments
  • And much more

Encouraging Continued Safety Protocols

During the surge of the Delta variant, it’s important for everyone to work together to slow the spread. To do this, Jewish Family Home Care, the experts in elder care in Sunrise, FL, recommends that all caregivers, clients, and their families follow the CDC’s preventative guidelines which include:

  • Get vaccinated. If you are able to be vaccinated, this is the best defense against COVID-19. The FDA has recently granted official approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s mRNA vaccine for people 16 years of age and older, and the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines have received emergency-use authorization from the FDA. Each of the vaccines are free, safe and effective, and they are readily available at many locations throughout the state. Vaccination against COVID-19 significantly reduces the likelihood of an individual developing severe symptoms from the virus. This is particularly important for individuals over the age of 65, as they are more likely to develop complications from the virus that may require hospitalization. The more people who are vaccinated, the lower the hospital ER admission rate, freeing up space for people of all ages who may encounter other, non-COVID-related medical emergencies.
  • Wear a mask. While nearly everyone is tired of masking, it continues to be an effective way to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth while indoors or in outdoor areas where it’s difficult to physically distance protects not only you, but those in your community.
  • Wash hands and disinfect surfaces frequently. During the normal course of a day, we touch hundreds of surfaces, both in our home and in public spaces. Regular hand washing and disinfecting high-touch surfaces in our homes and vehicles are great preventative measures that can slow the spread of COVID-19. When warm water and soap are not readily available for hand washing, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Practice physical distancing. If you or an older loved one will be in a location where it’s difficult to practice physical distancing, be sure to wear masks. Because the coronavirus is airborne, maintaining a minimum of six feet of space between you and those you interact with is important in slowing the spread. Avoid large crowds and poorly ventilated areas whenever possible.
  • Assess your risk and the risk of those you love. Currently, the FDA has not authorized use of any of the COVID-19 vaccines for individuals under the age of 12 years old. There are also people of all ages who may have medical conditions that do not allow them to get the COVID-19 vaccine. And, while the COVID-19 vaccine does not guarantee that an individual will not get the virus, it significantly decreases the likelihood of severe complications. It’s important that people take their own individual situations – including pre-existing health conditions – into consideration when determining whether or not to socialize in person, to travel, or to attend religious services and other community events.

Jewish Family Home Care: A Partner in Safety

When families partner with Jewish Family Home Care, they can feel confident that the older adults they love are not only safe, but cared for by a well-trained team of professionals who treat each client with respect, dignity and kindness. We offer a variety of home care services that can be tailored to your schedule, from a few hours weekly to 24/7 round-the-clock care, including:

  • Companionship to ward off feelings of loneliness and isolation
  • Assistance with personal care needs such as bathing, dressing, and using the toilet
  • Planning and preparing nutritious meals and snacks
  • Encouragement to participate regularly in physician-approved exercise routines
  • Accompanied transportation to healthcare appointments
  • Respite care for family caregivers
  • Specialized care for individuals with dementia, Parkinson’s or other chronic health conditions
  • And much more

To learn more about the steps we’re taking to stay safe during the pandemic and for information about how we help older adults live full and satisfying lives from the comfort of home, reach out to Jewish Family Home Care, the experts in elder care in Sunrise, FL, today at 954-908-5677. We’d love the opportunity to learn more about your particular situation and to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation. For a full list of all of the communities where we provide our award-winning home care services, please visit our Service Area page.