The recent uptick in COVID cases due to the powerful Delta variant has many people on guard this summer. Delta has been shown to spread more easily and cause more severe infections than previous strains of the virus, and the latest surge has prompted health care professionals to reassess and update their safety protocols.

At Assisting Hands, we know that older adults are more vulnerable to contracting the virus and developing severe COVID—especially if they have preexisting conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or cancer. To help you and your loved ones stay safe, we continually tweak our safety policy to align with guidelines from the CDC and the Home Care Association of America.

We follow these best practices to keep your family—and ours—healthy and safe.

Mask up

All Assisting Hands caregivers, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask at all times in your home. We err on the side of caution and want to do our best to protect your health—and that of our caregivers.

Get tested

Caregivers who may display COVID-19 signs or symptoms are asked to take a COVID test. Fever, chills, persistent cough, body aches, fatigue and shortness of breath are just some of the common symptoms that would warrant a test under our policy.

Practice proper hygiene

We continue to follow universal precautions to prevent the spread of disease. Caregivers during normal times undergo extensive training on proper glove use, handwashing, and infection control. Since the pandemic began, our caregivers have prided themselves on taking the steps necessary to ensure a safe, hygienic environment.

Carry on

Caregivers are essential workers and will continue to provide services through a potential increase in COVID cases or future lockdowns. We are proud to offer our services during challenging times, and we’re committed to ensuring the safety of our clients and our dedicated caregivers.