Long-term care has considerably changed in response to COVID-19. One could argue that responses to COVID-19 have improved long-term care. Let’s take a look at how that is.

Staffing

There have been a number of changes to how staffing is handled. In some provinces, such as British Columbia, staff are no longer able to work at more than one residential nursing home to prevent transmission of COVID-19. This protects the residents from unnecessary contact with germs.

Spread of Infection

Because of the number of people who have been ill—everywhere—we are now all more cognizant of the staffing requirements of residential nursing homes. In residential nursing homes where there has been transmission of COVID-19, we now know more about how this previously unknown disease is transmitted, and that helps us to prevent infection.

To prevent the spread of infection, we test more for disease, and we segregate individuals who don’t feel well or who have a fever. This protects everyone. Anyone who has had contact with someone with COVID-19 is quarantined.

Hygiene

Hygiene has much improved. There are many more safeguards to prevent the spread of infection. People wash their hands more and use more hand sanitizer. More people wear masks everywhere. We avoid handling physical items whenever possible.

This not only prevents the spread of COVID-19, but it also prevents the spread of everything else like the common cold or seasonal flu.

Conclusion

Everything mentioned above creates a cleaner and safer environment for anyone living or working in residential care. While it has been adjustment, and there’s more work involved, more policies and protocols, we all benefit from that.

The staff of H&H Total Care Services is committed to doing the very best that we can to protect our vulnerable residents from COVID-19 as much as we are able.

H&H Total Care Services is a privately held company based in Surrey, BC, that is a leader in providing senior and young adult residential care services. With communities in both British Columbia and Alberta, H&H Total Care Services offers a wide range of compassionate care services from independent living to residential complex care.