Unscreened and Untrained Caregivers are a Dangerous Risk for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic
As we all try to navigate these new and unchartered territories, there are a few things to keep in mind to keep your elderly loved ones safe. People know the best thing to do right now is to “Stay Home”. But staying home might mean bringing someone into your house to make sure your loved one is staying healthy and safe at this time. Now more than ever, you need to choose a home care agency that is licensed to protect your loved one.
Many people are out of work right now, and it may be tempting to go on a site like Craig’s List to hire someone to take care of your loved one. I have seen an increase in news stories and articles right now about elderly people being taken advantage of by unlicensed, uninsured, and unscrupulous people. There is a reason an agency like BrightStar is more costly than doing this on your own. First off, we screen all our employees, including extensive background checks and drug tests.
Secondly, all our employees are licensed, bonded, and insured through us. Why does that matter? It protects you and your loved one if there is ever an issue in the home. If a caregiver walks into your home and they slip and fall, you could be held liable for that. If it does’t work out and you want to let them go, you could be responsible for paying their unemployment. As their employer, you are responsible for adequately paying them and filing the correct documentation with the government.
Finally, I’m sure you have heard about PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) quite a lot during the last months. BrightStar has always had PPE for our caregivers, and we are on the forefront of acquiring the additional necessary PPE to keep your treasured loved ones safe. All our employees are required to daily check their temperatures and do an attestation that they are fit to work before they can even clock in. If they are unable to work, we have a team in place who can step right in to fill that shift, so your loved one is not left alone. As a Joint Commission accredited agency, infection control and hand washing have always been at the forefront of our care. This is not new to our team. Throughout the year, our teams are observed doing these skills that are truly saving lives now.
We all look forward to the day when we can see our loved ones face-to-face again. Until then, trust BrightStar Care to protect them and keep them safe so we can enjoy many more family gatherings, vacations, and celebrations together.
BrightStar Care of Bedford-Manchester provides 24/7 to Hourly Private Duty Health Care and In Home Care Services.
We offer support around the clock, providing a full continuum of private duty health care services and medical staffing services. We proudly serve Manchester, Bedford, Nashua, Derry, Salem, Londonderry, Hampton, and Exeter, NH.
For more information on how BrightStar Care supports New Hampshire essential businesses, and to learn more about our local team of caregivers, skilled health care professionals – please Click Here.
