Update on Great Comfort Care’s Health and Safety Protocol with the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Great Comfort Care is actively monitoring the progression of the coronavirus, COVID-19, to ensure that we have the most accurate and latest information on the impact of the virus. As new cases are identified in our communities, this situation continues to develop rapidly, and our protocols will be adjusted as needed.
While most cases of COVID-19 are mild, causing only fever and cough, a very small percentage of cases become severe and may progress particularly in the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions. Because this is a large population that Great Comfort Care serves, we understand your concerns and want to share with you how our organization is responding to the threat of COVID-19.
We are following updates and procedures from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), State Department of Health, local authorities, and other agencies and resources. Our response and plans may adjust according to the recommendations from these organizations.
Safety Protocol for Great Comfort Care
In addition to our continued adherence to Massachusetts’s health and safety protocols, we are taking additional proactive preventative measures to keep our community as healthy as possible, including:
Washing hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Refraining from coming to work if one becomes sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough
Additional sanitizing of high-volume points of contact (door handles, keyboards, faucets, etc.)
All Great Comfort Care employees, including caregivers, who have traveled internationally since January or plan to are required to disclose that to their Care Coordinator or Supervisor with details such as when and where
Upon returning from any international travel, employees who do not show symptoms noted above are still required to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to work
Employees who do show any of the symptoms listed above after traveling will be required to self-quarantine and provide a doctor’s note or negative test results before returning to work
Providing hand sanitizers and Lysol wipes at the GCC office
Reiterating with our employees all recommendations for health and safety to ensure that they are well-versed and compliant with best practices
How Can Great Comfort Care Help During This Time?
We believe that your home is the safest place for you or your loved ones. Our Caregivers can help in the home which can limit exposure from outside contact and large group activity where the virus is known to spread more quickly.
For individuals who have been recently discharged from the hospital, home care with our Caregiver can be the lower risk option since skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities may become reluctant to accept immunocompromised patients due to the facilities’ higher-risk environments.
How our Caregivers can help in the home:
Personal care (assistance with bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting)
Light housekeeping and sanitizing around the home
Picking up groceries and medication
Meal preparation while following health & safety protocols
Companionship and socialization (while promoting social distancing from large groups of people)
Where can I find more information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
We recommend you stay up to date on the current situation. Here are some resources to find additional information on the Coronavirus:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
We will continue to closely monitor the situation and evaluate additional measures to support our clients, employees, and communities. Should you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to us directly. Our phone lines and inboxes are always open to you.