The home care movement began long before the pandemic. More seniors and people with health conditions that require regular medical care are choosing to stay at home with their family and friends instead of transitioning to an assisted living community or nursing facility. Now, the COVID-19 devastation is a further reminder to keep loved ones at home. 



Avoid Large Groups of People 
People over 65 and those with ongoing medical needs are most susceptible to developing serious coronavirus complications, such as lung, heart, liver, and kidney failure. To reduce the chances of exposure to COVID-19, patients in these groups should avoid crowds and large gatherings. 

The problem with health care facilities, from doctor’s offices to hospitals, is they are nearly always busy with full waiting areas and revolving patients in and out of different rooms. With home care, you and your loved ones can avoid these situations for most services and reduce your exposure to potential contagions.

Screened  and Tested Health Professionals
Another way you can reduce the threat of catching and spreading the coronavirus is with home care services. All health practitioners and essential workers that go into and out of your home are screened for the virus. Agencies use contact tracing to make sure their employees are not exposed to COVID-19 or spreading it to their patients. 

Workers follow stringent safety to help prevent the spread of the virus. For example, they always wear personal protection equipment (PPE), such as surgical masks, clothing covers, gloves, and in some cases, face shields. Additionally, they carry hand sanitizer, regularly wash their hands, and seek care and testing if they develop symptoms or come in contact with someone that has the virus. 

Keep Other Family members Safe 
The more people are moving around and in direct contact with each other, the more they take the chance of spreading COVID-19 to others as well as family members. Yes, it’s unintentional. However, this does not change the fact that there are essential jobs, especially in the healthcare industry. People, like yourself and loved ones, have other medical needs that are important and even vital to remaining healthy, and they need care. 

When there are fewer people in your household leaving and going to areas with crowds and groups of people they don’t live with or know, the chances of catching the coronavirus increase. By only having screened professionals come to you and your loved ones’ homes for their medical and other needs, you’re reducing the risk to everyone’s health. 

Less to Worry About 
Together, this means less to worry about. Reducing stress and anxiety is ideal for improving all aspects of your physical and mental health. When you’re experiencing a high level of stress and anxious feelings, your ability to fight diseases and viruses decreases. Times are already stressful between the pandemic, stock market crash, and high levels of unemployment. Using home services helps professionals and caregivers find employment and offers relief from excessive worrying about catching and spreading COVID-19. 

Help Reduce the Strain on Nursing Facilities & Hospitals 
No one wants the pandemic to continue indefinitely. Medical scientists have made it clear—to slow new cases, everyone needs to follow social distancing and wear masks to avoid overwhelming the hospitals and reducing the levels of care necessary to prolong and save lives. Prior to the 2020 coronavirus outbreak, many of these facilities were already facing aging facilities, dwindling cash flow, and overcrowding. 

The virus is now sending them in two different directions. Lost revenue from standard services is forcing layoffs. At the same time, COVID-19 patients are filling the beds and waiting areas. Add to that the influx of people recovering from the virus, finding that it’s left permanent damage that requires ongoing medical treatment. These conditions include reduced lung function, heart health complications, renal failure, and neurological problems. 

Additionally, some patients are developing mental health problems as a result of the coronavirus and the pandemic in general. By choosing home care services over in-office options, you can help flatten the curve and save lives. 

Stay safe and keep your loved ones protected with at-home care during the pandemic and in the future. You don’t have to be a certified caregiver or licensed medical professional to have mom, dad, or grandma and grandpa at your home or theirs with qualified home care. Consider in-home companionship, personal care, meal preparation, cleaning, and necessary health services.