On the 23rd March 2020, lockdown began in the United Kingdom. As a result, new measures were put in place to protect the most vulnerable, as well as front-line staff. It’s essential that care workers in a non-healthcare setting also adhere to these safety guidelines, to provide low-risk care and minimise the risk of transmission through best practices. Read on for our advice on caring safely at home during COVID-19:

PPE Equipment Personal Protective Equipment, otherwise known as PPE, is the first step to ensure that you are contributing to preventing transmission of the virus. Such equipment includes the use of masks, aprons, gloves, helmets, goggles, or other garments designed to shield the user’s body from exposure to COVID-19.

If you are a caregiver working during the pandemic, then you are urged to protect yourself when coming into direct contact with groups at a higher risk for severe illness from the infection. If you need to be in the same room with someone who is sick and cannot wear a face mask, you should wear a face mask instead. If possible, try to keep a two-metre distance from the person who is ill.

We’re advising all of our caregivers to wear PPE equipment before starting their placement where they’ll be in close contact with high-risk groups. Reduce Shopping Trips Frequent shopping trips are synonymous with an increased risk of catching coronavirus. Try to keep aware of the number of times you leave your home, particularly if you are caring for the elderly or if you have seniors living with you.

Simply put, reducing time spent outside renders less germ exposure. Avoid unnecessary trips to the shops and buy food that will last the week. Other members of your household should not go shopping with you, and visitors should not be allowed inside your home. This is inclusive of children, adults, and pets. Most stores and pharmacies also offer delivery services, which you can take as an additional measure to boost yours and the protection of your household.

We’re asking our carers to rigorously practice social distancing when on placements to ensure they avoid potentially coming into contact with coronavirus.

Be Careful With Laundry Ensure you do not shake dirty laundry. Handle it with care and wash on the warmest temperature possible, which will encourage virus particles to fully break down. Once the washing is complete, thoroughly dry clothes. When transferring them over to the dryer, hold the garments at a safe distance, and wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Personal protective equipment should also be used when handling laundry, such as masks and gloves to protect yourself from infection.

Avoid Sharing Mugs, Dishes & Bedding It’s important to use separate mugs, dishes, and bedding when caring for seniors at a higher risk of catching COVID-19. Take precautions with sharing high-use and frequently touched items and do not share them with different household members. After use, be sure they are cleaned and scrubbed with hot soapy water. Our staff have been well trained to ensure they take the correct measures when dealing with at-risk groups to protect and prevent further spreading of coronavirus.

Follow NHS Advice & CDC Guidelines When in doubt, it’s imperative to follow instructions from your local doctor, NHS, and CDC guidelines, who regularly provide up-to-date and reliable information on COVID-19 and how you can provide safe care during the pandemic. We’re committed to providing care that adheres to national safety guidelines, to keep our caregivers, as well as groups at high-risk completely safe whilst being cared for.