March 31, 2020
Dear Hool'áágóó Home Care Client & Families,
We are here to help…we would like to send our prayers out to each and every one at this time. With the turmoil, illness, and heartache resulting from coronavirus/COVID19, we know you have concerns and questions, alarm and anxiety while trying to make the best care decisions for yourself and your loved ones.
First, I want you to know that we have a well-functioning remote setup for our company and our office administrators are working and conducting office business remotely from home. We are in continuous communication with all Infinity of Page Employees. We are having weekly telephone conferences to keep them informed about information during this time.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) poses a serious threat to older adults (especially 80 years old and older) and those with underlying health conditions. This is why the federal government and many state governments are restricting visitors to nursing homes and assisted living communities. We are asking to please restrict your visits with your family too if they are receiving home care. Social Distancing and no Direct contact need to be practiced. We understand this is going to be difficult but, the safety and wellbeing of your loved one is our top priority.
Here’s how you can continue to stay in touch with them, and how you can help:
1. Communicate with your loved ones through alternative ways for the time being, whether by phone, video, social media, or other methods that is not direct contact. Ask our caregiver about helping you with this.
2. Make sure your loved one’s Agency has your emergency contact information. The agency may need to communicate with you about any developments regarding your loved one or about the agency as a whole.
3. If you must come to the home of your family member, and it can’t be avoided coordinate with the staff ahead of time.
If you are permitted in, please wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately upon entering and throughout your visit. Avoid touching your loved ones or other individuals in the house. Again, we know this is difficult, but the virus is very contagious and social distancing is important at this time. Please use mask and gloves if you have access to them as well.
We are available to help you and to answer your questions. Emergency Line 928-206-7265
March 31, 2020
During the last week, we have been fielding questions about Covid-19 and I hope these answers will guide you in the days and weeks ahead:
• Are there Hool'áágóó caregivers currently available to help if my caregiver gets sick?
Our network of caregivers is limited at this time. That said, we strongly encourage families to put in place several back-up options now in the event that your caregiver cannot be immediately replaced, that your loved one or someone they live with contracts the coronavirus, that a family member who is the Power of Attorney becomes infected, or that your caregiver or their family member falls ill from Covid-19.
• Is my caregiver considered an “essential employee” who is allowed to go to work during curfews, shutdowns, and other travel restrictions?
Those who care for the elderly or work in medical or senior care facilities are generally considered essential employees. Infinity caregiver’s have been given letters to carry with them explaining their position and hopefully head off any potential problems with a caregiver’s ability to travel to and from work.
• How can I make sure my caregiver is following best hygiene practices and has properly prepared my loved one?
Through ongoing communications and social media postings, we are helping Americans nationwide stay informed and educated about how to manage home care in this challenging environment. Please read our posts on this subject -- and we encourage you to share them with friends and family. The information is universal, and we want to help as many families as we can. (Via our Facebook page and webpage) www.infinityofpage.com
• Does Infinity of Page require caregivers to be tested for the coronavirus?
The U.S. policy for coronavirus testing applies in very specific circumstances and can only be administered by authorized professionals. Only people who meet certain medical criteria are permitted to be tested. The home care industry is not authorized to make these determinations or to do testing.
• Is my home health aide entitled to paid sick leave?
Each state has its own laws about sick leave for caregivers. Infinity of Page– currently, during this crisis we have a sick leave directives & notice to our employees. We want to protect our precious clients and employees at this time. Possible risk for loss of work is not a chance we want to take. All Agencies have their own policy We are happy to provide sick leave to our Infinity of Page employees. I hope this helps you as you plan for what are certain to be uncertain times ahead. And from all of us at Infinity of Page, we wish you and your loved ones well and ask that you stay informed of the latest recommendations and restrictions from federal and local authorities. We are here to help to the best of our abilities.
Sincerely, Lynnette Adams-CEO
March 22, 2020
Dearest Hool'áágóó Client and Family Representatives,
At this time, I am reaching out to you because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As most of you may know and be experiencing, our communities are being ordered to “shelter-in-place”. We are asking all of our Non-Family employees to opt out and be with their families in isolation for the duration of the quarantine period. We understand that this may not be an option for some and so, we are willing to continue to provide service care; with the understanding and mutual agreement that there is an increased risk involved with making the decision to continue services. We are asking and stress the importance for family involvement during this state of emergency; by all family members to the clients we are serving. We feel at this time, it is in the client’s best interest to be surrounded with their own relatives and those they love for their support and care.
However, because there is the actualization that this may not be a feasible option for certain clients, we are needing to have all parties involved to sign a liability waiver to continue care. We would like to note that on March 16 our agency provided all employees with COVID-19 training materials and also conducted a webinar training on March 19, stressing the proper procedures and protocols to follow for reducing transmission while giving care during this crisis.
The Hool'áágóó family continues to strive to keep a safe & healthy environment for our clients and employees during this time, in order to continue services for your family member please fill out and scan return signed letter by email lynnetteadams@infinityofpage.org or fax 928-645-9089. Thank-you.
Sincerely, Lynnette Adams, CEO