Caregivers are on the front-line of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Millions of people are looking after vulnerable patients while at the same time managing their own risk of infection and that of their families and communities.
Many people with COVID-19—the disease that coronavirus causes—will be treated in their home, so it’s important that caregivers understand the risks and how to minimize them.
Most people who are infected with coronavirus experience mild symptoms and recover without medical treatment. But members of vulnerable groups may develop severe and life-threatening symptoms. Vulnerable groups include the elderly, people with existing lung conditions such as COPD, people with heart conditions, obese people, and people with compromised immune systems, among others.
If you care for someone in a vulnerable group, you should take extra precautions. The first step is to prepare your home. Whether you live with the person you care for or not, preparing your home will help you to reduce the risk of infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published detailed guidance for preparing your home for COVID-19.
Don’t hesitate to seek medical advice
Seek medical advice if you care for a person who is vulnerable to severe coronavirus-related illness. The advice we give in this article is in-line with CDC guidance, but patients have unique requirements and risk factors. Get guidance from a medical professional if you suspect someone you care for in a vulnerable group is infected.
Most people who contract coronavirus experience unpleasant symptoms that are not life-threatening. But you should be vigilant for what the CDC calls emergency warning symptoms. These are:
- Breathing difficulty.
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
- New confusion or inability to rouse.
- Bluish lips or face.
If someone you care for has these symptoms or other severe symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Reduce the risk of caregiver and patient infection
Caregivers should strive to reduce the risk to themselves, their patients, and their family. It is possible to be infected without showing symptoms, so you can pass on the infection before you know you have been infected. It is important to follow sensible precautions to avoid infection.
If you notice that you have the symptoms of coronavirus, make alternative care arrangements for your patient if possible. Follow the isolation and testing advice provided by your city and state.
If you live with the person you care for, make every effort to avoid becoming infected. Remain isolated as much as is possible.
- Wash your hands for twenty seconds with soap and water when you return home and frequently while you are at home. Hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol is effective, but not as good as soap and water.
- If possible, do not share a bathroom with the patient.
- Don’t use the same towels, bedding, or eating utensils as the patient.
- Don’t touch your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Caring for someone with COVID-19
If you care for someone at home who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is showing the symptoms, seek medical advice and follow basic precautions to avoid becoming infected.
- Spend as much time as possible in a different room to the patient. This can be challenging if you live with the patient, but it is essential to reducing the risk of infection.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol or above.
- When you are near the patient, ask them to wear a facemask. If they can’t wear a facemask, you should wear one.
- Ensure the patient drinks plenty of fluids.
- Manage the symptoms in the same way you would manage the symptoms of a cold.
- Do not allow the patient to have unnecessary visitors from outside the home.
- Wash all surfaces that you and the patient touch regularly, such as tables, counters, and doorknobs. Use household cleaning products in accordance with the instructions on the label.
Monitor the patient’s condition regularly, and if they show any of the emergency warning symptoms outlined above, seek medical help immediately.
If you care for someone with coronavirus, it is important to familiarize yourself with the coronavirus-related guidance and regulations of the city and state you live in. The pandemic is ongoing and the guidelines are likely to change as the situation evolves.
