Coronavirus and home care
The coronavirus crisis has had a profound effect on care services. If you are caring for someone with COVID-19 at home or in a non-healthcare setting, then you need to understand how to protect yourself and everyone around you.
You should help the patient you are caring for take any medication as advised by their GP, as well as looking for over-the-counter medicines that may help with the fever.
Stay in contact with them through the telephone when you are not with them, and help improve their understanding of the virus through regular phone calls. You can help with groceries and other essential items.
Limiting contact with them is very important as it can reduce the spread of the virus. If you are at a higher risk than the patient, you should not be treating them. Try and move the person you are caring for into a separate bedroom and bathroom if you are living with them.
If you have to share space make sure the area is well ventilated as this can help remove droplets from the air. Try and reduce home visits to as few as possible.
Look out for important warning signs and report them immediately if symptoms worsen. You should have their doctor’s telephone number on hand, and you can ask the doctor about what help is most appropriate.
Other useful sources of information
Age UK (charity number: 1128267, Tavis House, London), is a leading registered charity that also operates across Wales, Northern Ireland as Age NI, as well as Age Scotland.
Age UK has an advice line that offers telephone friendship through their friendship call support. Age UK’s advice line is available for all sorts of needs, and you can search the menu site to find what you are looking for.
Across this menu are several different links to other pages with more details about money and legal issues, wellbeing, care and support and learning.
You can also use these links to talk to a member of staff for more information about self-funding your care homes costs, home care providers and how your local councils may be able to support you.