March 23, 2020
Dear Home to Stay Clients and Families:
Our commitment to providing safe and exceptional care is unwavering as the situation with COVID-19 continues. How we deliver care may be changing temporarily in some aspects to promote health and safety, but we remain committed to your health and the health of your family.
In an attempt to decrease the risk of contracting and or spreading infection amongst our caregivers, clients, and families, Home to Stay has enacted the following initiatives:
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Instituting remote support from home for our office staff to maintain health and safety.
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Distribution of caregiver care packs including masks, gloves, sanitizer, and gowns for strict adherence to infection control protocols.
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Educating families & caregivers on the importance of minimizing outings in communal areas based upon the ruling by the NJ Governor.
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Providing a mandatory 30 minute COVID-19 education session to equip our caregivers with the tools needed to keep themselves and clients safe.
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Modifying scheduled assessments and follow up to tele-health/telephonic visits to ensure continuity of care with a reduced risk illness for our clients and families.
With the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic, our leadership is meeting daily regarding changes to policy at the state and federal level. Our caregivers are constantly educated to stay at home if they are ill to protect our client, which is the number one priority. As partners in caring for your loved ones, it remains critical that families continue to protect our caregivers and clients by performing the following interventions:
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Washing hands frequently with soap & water for at least 20 seconds.
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Utilize alcohol based hand sanitizer when soap and water is unavailable.
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Refraining from touching your face, eyes, and mouth with unwashed hands.
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Covering your cough with a tissue then disposing of it immediately in a trash can.
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Putting distance between yourself and others (including family gatherings), especially people who are sick.
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Cleansing & disinfecting common areas and frequently touched items such as light switches, door knobs, and bathrooms
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Reporting flu-like symptoms immediately including fever, cough, and or shortness of breath.
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Reporting any travel by yourself or close relatives to one of the COVID-19 affected countries.
Please know the health of our clients and staff is our #1 priority. We will continue to take all measures necessary to protect our clients and staff. To assist in this transition, family members and clients may be asked to download phone applications, such as Zoom, to improve communication with our care delivery team via telehealth. I also ask that you take the time to educate yourself and family on the measures listed above to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Please direct all questions and concerns to myself and the rest of the leadership team with Home To Stay. Thank you for your support and patience as we continue to work through these changes.
Sincerely,
Tamara Scott, RN, BSN, MSN
Director of Nursing
856-321-1500
