DKH HomeMakers Provides Shopping and Care Management Assistance to Seniors

Day Kimball Healthcare (DKH) At Home, a service division of Day Kimball Healthcare, is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving coronavirus disease COVID1-9 crisis and is following the procedures of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH, and local public health agencies.

As widely reported, it has been established that older adults and those with underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk for more severe outcomes if infected with the COVID-19 virus. As a result, the CDC strongly urges older adults, especially those with chronic health conditions, to remain home as much as possible to limit exposure.

As COVID-19 has now reached Connecticut and bordering states, DKH At Home is prepared to meet the challenges this presents. “Now more than ever, the in-home care we provide is a vital part of preventing emergency room visits and unnecessary hospitalizations, while keeping our patients safe in the comfort of their homes,” said Renee Smith, RN, MSN, Executive Director, Day Kimball Healthcare At Home.

DKH At Home is taking the necessary steps to protect its patients and families as care is provided in the home through the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on minimizing risk for infection,while safeguarding the health of its staff. To best achieve this DKH At Home clinicians and staff are adhering to the following procedures:

• All patients, clients, and household members are screened for COVID-19 symptoms and related risk factors prior to beginning care and before every home visit according to CDC and DPH guidelines.
• On a daily basis, all staff are screened for COVID-19 related symptoms before reporting for work. Staff with symptoms are not permitted to visit patients or perform other duties until cleared by their physician and the DKH Employee Health Department.
• In a patient/client’s home, staff adhere to stringent hand hygiene, aseptic clinical bag technique, and disinfection of equipment to prevent the spread of infection.
• For any patient, client or family member with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection, and for those with cough, shortness of breath, or fever greater than 100 degrees, staff will don appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a gown, gloves, mask and eye protection.

All current and new patients have been, or will be given verbal and written education on how to best protect themselves and others from the spread of COVID-19.

“We appreciate the trust our patients and families have placed in us to provide care in their homes.Everyone at DKH At Home is more committed than ever to improving and protecting the health of the communities and individual we serve,” said Smith.

As part of its comprehensive response to the COVID-19 emergency, DKH At Home’s HomeMakers program can assist seniors with social distancing efforts by helping them with shopping and errands, and is offering and subsidized shopping services for seniors with financial hardships. HomeMakers is also offering care management services for seniors.

DKH At Home encourages individuals to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their homes and in the communities. If an individual suspects that they were exposed to Coronavirus, DKH urges them to contact their healthcare provider to see if they can be cared for at home. To learn more about coronavirus disease precautions for the home and recommendations for close contacts and caregivers of patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, click here.

These steps will prevent the spread of the virus in the home and community. If you think you were exposed to coronavirus, talk to your doctor to see if you can be cared for at home.

For question or concerns, please contact (860) 928-0422 to speak with a DKH At Home staff member.

For the latest information, refer to the CDC website, www.cdc.gov and the CT DPH website, www.ct.gov/coronavirus. Local measures to contain the spread of the virus are available at Day KimballHealthcare at www.daykimball.org/coronavirus, or call 2-1-1, the CT State Hotline for information.