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How we can help you stay safe at home

Ontario’s long-term care sector announced that it’s not equipped to handle a second wave of Covid-19.

This news comes as case counts are already starting to climb in the province and flu season is approaching.

More than 1,800 long-term care residents have died since the start of the pandemic. With facilities not prepared to handle the expected increase in cases, the death toll is expected to keep rising.

Top health officials warned months ago that long-term care homes lacked the basic resources needed to combat an outbreak of the virus that is especially dangerous for older adults.

Staffing shortages and infection prevention and control deficiencies have yet to be rectified, increasing the likelihood or more outbreaks in homes and subsequently, more resident deaths.

More Seniors are Staying Safe at Home

There is an increasing interest for in-home care solutions that allow our clients to stay safe at home while getting the assistance they need. In most cases, this can eliminate the need to move to a long-term care facility.

These services, like the ones offered to Living Assistance clients, range from help with non-medical needs to daily living tasks like grocery shopping and errands. Seniors in need can stay physically distanced and avoid exposure to others.

For families who are caring for an elderly parent or grandparent at home, a caregiver can help limit the number of family and friends coming into the home by taking on some or all of the caregiving duties. This can help protect everyone in the household!

Speaking of protecting the household, here are some other ways that a skilled caregiver can help reduce the risk of infection:

• By helping to maintain a clean and sanitary environment.
• Assisting with proper personal hygiene.
• Ensuring proper nutrition through healthy meal planning and preparation, which boosts the immune system.
• Picking up prescriptions to help you stay on top of your health.
• Providing RN-supervised care for to manage other existing conditions.
• Our caregivers also provide companionship, which has been shown to help boost immunity and mental health, and lower the risk of illness in seniors.

In-home care provides the personalized one-on-one care that isn’t possible in long-term care homes, many of which are understaffed.

To learn more about the services we provide, give us a call at 1.855.483.2273. We’re here for you.

Article sources

• Ontario long-term care homes warn they are not equipped to handle second COVID-19 wave. Robyn Doolittle. Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-long-term-care-homes-warn-they-are-not-equipped-to-handle/
• Ontario not acting on calls to improve infection control in long-term care facilities as COVID-19 second wave looms. Robyn Doolittle. Globe and Mail. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ontario-not-acting-on-calls-to-improve-infection-control-in-long-term/