Local Care Facilities Using Preventative Measures To Protect The Elderly From COVID-19

Local Care Facilities Using Preventative Measures To Protect The Elderly From COVID-19

With several presumptive positive covid-nineteen cases in the state and even more testing happening, local nursing home and assisted care facilities are doing all they can to help protect high-risk groups like the elderly population throughout acadiana.

News 1's tiffany maddox was able to talk to a home care company that says preventative measures are the key to making sure everyone stays safe.

Businesses like right at home train home caregivers to assist our elders and those in need, and now with coronavirus becoming such an issue they are implementing new techniques to make sure their employees and patients stay safe.

"'m shocked at how large i's grown and how fearful people are becoming."

Although shocked at the speed of the spread of coronavirus, amanda thornhill is making sure sh's doing all she can to protect her patients.

"we try to implement the exact same routine whether ther's a virus or not, which is cleanliness always wash hands, always wear gloves when dealing with bodily fluids, wipe down everything."

Trainers say since the news of coronavirus has gotten worse the business has made a few changes to help make sure their staff is being safe along with following cdc guidelines.

"so we are actively doing a face to face training with all of our caregivers to make sure they are dong the proper protocol.

As in washing hands, making sure they have gloves and wearing a face mask to prevent any spread of the virus."while there are no confirmed cases as of now around acadiana right at home says prevention is essential to elderly patient care.

" i's very important because some of these people ca't live without a caregiver.

They ca't take their own meds, ca't bathe, ca't dress, ca't eat, so i's very important."

Thornhill says sh'll take the extra step to protect her patients because tha's what a good caregiver does.

"i spray down her door knobs, i spray down her light switches, the everyday stuff.

Keep it all clean and it just goes not only for this virus, but for everyday life."

Representatives from right at home say they will continue to follow cdc guidelines and implement any changes as needed.

In lafayette, tiffany maddox, news 15.

News 15 reached out to several nursing home facilities in the area who did not want to be interviewed however they all said that they too are using proper safety measures, monitoring their patients and limiting outside interaction and