Over the past few months, we have all experienced significant challenges, but we are relieved to see the number of Covid-19 positive tests and hospitalizations declining in Massachusetts, as well as the phased opening of businesses continuing. We are, of course, incredibly saddened by the news that so many have been lost to the virus, including a number of wonderful clients who we had served in the years past.
We are pleased to see that there is broad understanding and acceptance of social distancing guidelines in the Boston area, and masks are almost “universally” being embraced, not only indoors, but in outdoor environments where one can not safely stay six feet apart or where crowds might gather. We certainly see a commitment to reduce the risk of exposure and transmission to the greatest degree during the Massachusetts re-opening phases.
More requests for care are coming in and we’ve been able to offer new and extended services to help those in our community during this pandemic. With many seniors delaying a potential move into a senior living facility, we continue to provide care and support needed to help our clients remain at home in a safe, healthy and engaged way.
We continue to screen our caregivers, telephonically, ahead of every client shift. We have adapted our screening as the initial curve or surge has run its course. For example, the initial screening questions had been focused around those who had “recently traveled internationally”. Questions were removed and others added when the Commonwealth became a national “hot spot”. We have published at least six updates to our protocols since early March. Our pre-visit, telephonic screening now includes the updated symptoms as cited by the CDC. Beyond symptoms, our screening is focused on understanding the degree of contact our Caregivers have experienced when they have not been working with Clients. We ask, “When you are not working, have you left the home and been within six feet of someone without a mask? Our revised screening questions are now reflected in our Coronavirus Protocols.
Also, rest assured, we have specific procedures which we follow to restrict the work of caregivers who are suspected or confirmed with COVID-19. We welcome you to read these COVID-19 Caregiver Protocols and contact our office with any questions.
We have developed a system of procuring, managing, and distributing a range of PPE for our caregivers including N-95, K-95, and surgical-style masks, plus gloves, isolation gowns, goggles, hand sanitizer and other supplies.
While many of our processes have changed with the arrival of Covid-19, the delivery of our home care at the highest levels of quality and service has not. In fact, with the added health screening, and additional daily communication with our caregivers and clients, we feel that our service delivery has grown even stronger.
We all eagerly await the time when it is safe to return to normal. This will no doubt take some time–possibly even a year when a vaccine becomes widely available–so, in the meantime, we will adjust to the “new normal” and re-double our efforts to provide the highest quality care.
As the impact of the Pandemic changes frequently, we will be posting real-time updates for you on our website’s Covid-19 Update page Please check back as often as you like for the latest information.
As always, if you have any questions, please call us at 781-559-0220. We take great pride in our team–we have an amazing team of dedicated and passionate professional caregivers–and we are all committed to assisting you every step of the way. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you.
Thank you for placing your trust in FirstLight Home Care.
Steve Stern and Wendy Adlerstein, Owners
