COVID-19 Resources

Care Indeed's Latest Information on Coronavirus

The health and safety of Care Indeed's community is our # 1 priority. With recent news around coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to make sure Care Indeed clients, partners, caregivers, & staff know the best ways to protect themselves and others when giving care.

To get answers to frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ here.

Take care of yourself

Wash your hands frequently. Cover your nose and mouth if you have to sneeze or cough. And use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. Please stay home if you are sick.

Stay informed

The CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) are continually updating their sites with the latest information about travel warnings, new outbreaks, and disease developments.

Be inclusive

Care Indeed has a long-standing commitment to maintaining an inclusive and welcoming community, and discrimination against clients or caregivers.

Service Updates

The health and safety of the Care Indeed community is our priority. We're monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely, and taking action based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and local and federal officials.

This page will be updated regularly with information about our local operations. Check back here for updates on Care Indeed's service in your area.

Care Indeed plays an important role in helping clients and meet their daily needs, including clients with personal care, lifestyle assistance or take regular rides to and from their medical appointments.

Retirement communities that depend on Care Indeed to give extra companions and to help their residents in need. We plan to remain operational across the Greater Bay Area except in locations where we've received alternate guidance from local and federal officials. Thus far, even in communities where local officials have asked residents to 'shelter in place', Care Indeed care services continue to help people meet their essential needs, such as, personal care, skilled nursing, grocery shopping or picking up medication.

Find updates on your region below: California

• Always follow any guidance or instructions from health care providers, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and local health departments.
• Government guidance: Stay at home
• Local resource: CA.gov website
• Care Indeed status: Operating

• Government guidance: Shelter in place
• Local resource: SF Mayor's Office website San Mateo Mayor's Office Website
• Care Indeed status: Operating

• Government guidance: Stay at home
• Local resource: WA Coronavirus Hub
• Care Indeed status: Closed

Frequently Asked Questions:

About COVID-19

• COVID-19 is the name for the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.
  1. CO = Corona, VI = Virus, D = Disease, 19 = 2019, the year in which the illness was first reported. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause mild illnesses like a cold, to more serious respiratory illnesses like pneumonia.
• Per the CDC, symptoms for COVID-19 may include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear between two to fourteen days after being exposed. Most people (80%) with COVID-19 will feel like they have a bad cold or the flu. Some people will require hospitalization. The elderly and people with existing health conditions have an increased risk of severe illness.
• Per the CDC, if you begin to develop symptoms call a medical professional.

Symptoms of COVID-19

• Per the CDC, symptoms for COVID-19 may include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear between two to fourteen days after being exposed.
• Most people (80%) with COVID-19 will feel like they have a bad cold or the flu. Some people will require hospitalization. The elderly and people with existing health conditions have an increased risk of severe illness.

How We Observe Safety

Closely monitoring the situation and taking action

We're following updates on COVID-19, including guidance from the CDC, CDPH and local health officials. We have an internal response team dedicated solely to this issue, and we'll continue to take actions necessary to help protect the community. Care Indeed has been in touch with caregivers to make sure they have the latest guidance from the CDC on how to best protect themselves.

Helping with Prevention

We partnered with ClearCare to implement detailed instant health screenings prior to and at the close of each caregiver's shift. This detailed screening questionnaire ensures everyone's health-and we continually monitor staff while working in the field.

At the start of each shift, our caregivers' first priority is to disinfect high-contact surfaces like doorknobs, refrigerators, tables, sinks, bathrooms, etc. every time they arrive at a client's house.

At the executive level, we formed a dedicated response team whose main focus remains centered on COVID-19 operations, and we'll continue to take actions necessary to help protect the community. Care Indeed is in constant communication with all our caregivers to make sure they have the latest guidance from the CDC on how to best protect themselves.

We also immediately implemented through health screenings before placement, increased check-ins with both clients and caregivers, and identified certain facilities or sites where there may have been exposure to COVID-19 and immediately pulled those staff.

Protecting our community

If we are notified of a client (or caregiver) testing positive for COVID-19, they will be temporarily suspended from using Care Indeed until they are medically cleared. In this event, we will also follow guidance from the CDC and local health officials to identify other individuals who may have been impacted.

We Value Everyone

What is Care Indeed doing to help caregivers and clients stay safe?

• We are monitoring the coronavirus situation closely, and taking action based on guidance from the CDC and local health officials. Our focus is on keeping our caregivers, clients and team members safe.
• At the executive level, we formed a dedicated response team whose main focus remains centered on COVID-19 operations, and we'll continue to take actions necessary to help protect the community.
• Care Indeed is in constant communication with all our caregivers to make sure they have the latest guidance from the CDC on how to best protect themselves.
• We also immediately implemented through health screenings before placement, increased check-ins with both clients and caregivers, and identified certain facilities or sites where there may have been exposure to COVID-19 and immediately pulled those staff.

Clients and Caregiver's Guide

Tips from the CDC to help keep yourself healthy

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds — especially after using the restroom, blowing your nose, coughing, interacting with multiple people, and before eating. For more information on handwashing, visit the CDC's guide on handwashing.
• If you can't wash your hands with soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content (check the label to see the alcohol content). Per the CDC, studies have found that sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between 60–95% are more effective at killing germs than those with a lower alcohol concentration or non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue if you have to cough or sneeze, and wash or sanitize your hands as soon as you can. No tissue? Please cover your mouth (elbows are best). Quickly dispose of any used tissues.
• Per the CDC, drive with the windows open when possible, increase ventilation, and regularly disinfect surfaces.

What to do if you feel sick

• Per the CDC, if you begin to develop symptoms, call a medical professional. You should also contact a doctor if you've had contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread (China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, or Italy). Tell your healthcare professional about your recent travel or contact.
• Your healthcare professional will work with your state's public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
• Please stay home if you are sick. If you need to see a doctor, work with a medical professional to discuss transportation options. Per the CDC, if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspect you may have it, you should not use ridesharing, public transportation, or taxis.

Supporting Our Caregivers

As we adapt to this situation, we are growing opportunities for caregivers to earn. While care demand is low due to client's fear of having contact with caregivers we're actively expanding our training and education about self care and infection control. Care Indeed services include delivery medications pick up and drop-off , grocery shopping, reaching out to hospital discharge planners to help with their transitional care, to create new opportunities for caregivers who are interested and able to drive. We are also communicating to legislators that our priority is stimulus that specifically assists caregivers, other workers, people who are self-employed, and small businesses.

What happens if a member of the Care Indeed community is directly affected by COVID-19?

• If we are notified of a client or caregiver testing positive for COVID-19, they will be temporarily suspended from using Care Indeed until they are medically cleared.
• In this event, we will also follow guidance from the CDC and local health officials to identify other individuals who may have been impacted.
• will emergency sick leave funds to caregivers should they be diagnosed with COVID-19 or put under individual quarantine by a public health agency. This helps support caregivers financially when they can't drive, while also protecting our caregivers' health.

A Note to all Care Indeed Caregivers

Federal legislation was signed into law that intends to slow the spread of COVID-19 and provide assistance to millions of working families across the country who are impacted by the coronavirus.

We support this new law, which contains emergency measures and funding that directly impacts the Care Indeed community - our clients, partners , caregivers, staff and our loved ones.

As a member of the Care Indeed family, we want to share with you what we know about resources available to help you and your family during this challenging time. There are many moving parts and a lot that we don't yet know. We are working as hard as we can to identify more ways to support you.

When you choose work with Care Indeed, even for just a few hours each week, you provide essential services to your community: providing activities of daily living, transportations to their health care, and other critical services.

Many cities and regions have announced shelter-in-place orders which restrict movement and large gatherings. Despite these restrictions, travel may be allowed for essential activities such as grocery and food pickup and delivery, medical visits, and attending critical public safety jobs. In this time of uncertainty and isolation, we are heartened that our community has stepped up to ensure that seniors are able to be cared to medical appointments and families are able to pick up groceries. Thank you!

How to Protect Yourself?

• Know How COVID-19 Virus Spreads
• There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
  1. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  2. Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• Take steps to protect yourself
• Clean your hands often
  1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  2. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact
  1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  2. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Take steps to protect others
• Stay home if you're sick
  1. Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes
  1. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  2. Throw used tissues in the trash.
  3. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Wear a facemask if you are sick
  1. If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider's office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
  2. If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
• Clean and disinfect
  1. Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  2. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

To disinfect:

Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.

Options include:

Diluting your household bleach.

To make a bleach solution, mix:

5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water

OR

4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Follow manufacturer's instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Alcohol solutions.

Ensure the solution has at least 70% alcohol.

Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.

Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens pdf icon[7 pages]external icon claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

How to Take Care of Yourself at Home?

• Stay home from work, school, and away from other public places. If you must go out, avoid using any kind of public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.
• Monitor your symptoms carefully. If your symptoms get worse, call your healthcare provider immediately.
• Get rest and stay hydrated.
• If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider ahead of time and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19.
• For medical emergencies, call 911 and notify the dispatch personnel that you have or may have COVID-19.
• Cover your cough and sneezes.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available. If you need to be around other people in or outside of the home, wear a facemask.
• Avoid sharing personal items with other people in your household, like dishes, towels, and bedding
• Clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops, and doorknobs. Use household cleaning sprays or wipes according to the label instructions.

Prepare for COVID-19

Here is what you can do to prepare your family in case COVID-19 spreads in your community:

• Know where to find local information on COVID-19 and local trends of COVID-19 cases.

• Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if symptomatic:
  1. Stay home when you are sick
  2. Call your healthcare provider's office in advance of a visit
  3. Limit movement in the community
  4. Limit visitors

• Know what additional measures those at higher risk and who are vulnerable should take

• Implement steps to prevent illness
  1. Stay home when sick
  2. Proper handwashing
  3. Respiratory etiquette
  4. Clean frequently touched surfaces daily

• Create a household plan of action in case of illness in the household or disruption of daily activities due to COVID-19 in the community.
  1. Consider a 2-week supply of prescription and over the counter medications, food and other essentials. Know how to get food delivered if possible.
  2. Establish ways to communicate with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers).
  3. Establish plans to telework, what to do about childcare needs, how to adapt to cancellation of events

Here is what you need to do if you have asthma:

• Take your asthma medication exactly as prescribed. Talk to your healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about creating an emergency supply of prescription medications, such as asthma inhalers. Make sure that you have 30 days of nonprescription medications and supplies on hand too in case you need to stay home for a long time.
• Know how to use your inhaler.
• Avoid your asthma triggers.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks daily to protect yourself against COVID-19. Avoid disinfectants that can cause an asthma attack.
• As more cases of COVID-19 are discovered and our communities take action to combat the spread of disease, it is natural for some people to feel concerned or stressed. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack. Take steps to help yourself cope with stress and anxiety.

Caregiver Constant Communication

With the mission of providing quality services and at the same time ensuring the protection and health of the clients and caregivers, Care Indeed created plans on how to monitor employees during this crisis. Caregivers will engage with a Care Indeed employee through a brief and detailed conversation.

These are the questions asked to caregivers:

Manual clock in questions:

• Do you have any signs of illness, such as a fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, cough, runny nose, or congestion?
  1. If yes, please describe your symptoms
• Have you been in contact with anyone with flu-like symptoms?
• Have you been in contact with anyone with a confirmed case of Covid-19?
• Please be reminded to wash your hands with soap and water for 30 seconds upon the arrival at the client's home. Please have all visitors do the same.

Manual clock out questions:

• Do you have any signs of illness? Such as a fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, cough, runny nose, or congestion?
  1. If yes, please describe your symptoms
• Have you been in contact with anyone with flu-like symptoms?
• Have you been in contact with anyone with a confirmed case of Covid-19?
• Were there any changes in your client's condition? Such as:
  1. Flu-like symptoms
  2. New confusion or difficult to wake up
  3. Fatigue
  4. Difficulty breathing
  5. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  6. Bluish lips or face (sign of poor O2 circulation)