COVID-19 Update

Visiting Angels of Southwest Michigan
March 13, 2020 Update on Coronavirus
 
With the first confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus in Michigan, we are reaching out to assure you that Visiting Angels of Southwest Michigan is closely monitoring the situation around the COVID-19 outbreak, and is taking precautions to ensure the safety of our precious care recipients. 

Here is what we are doing to keep you, your loved ones, and our Angel Caregivers safe:

Effective as of March 11, 2020, Visiting Angels of Southwest Michigan activated Phase 2 of its Coronavirus Action Plan. 

Phase 2 of the Visiting Angels Coronavirus Action Plan encourages our caregivers to continue to practice healthy hygiene habits. This includes washing their hands for at least 20 seconds, covering their mouth when sneezing or coughing with their upper arm/sleeve, and not their hand, washing their clothes after every shift, avoiding shaking hands, getting enough rest and eating a well-balanced diet.
 
Phase 2 of the Coronavirus Action Plan requires our caregivers to:
 
  1. Use hand sanitizer immediately upon entering a care recipient’s home, using at least a “tip of their pinky” amount, and rubbing their hands until completely dry. Our client coordinators will be stopping by our care recipients’ houses to provide a complimentary small bottle of hand sanitizer. However, we highly encourage our care recipients to purchase and supply a larger quantity of hand sanitizer for caregiver after the complementary one is gone.
  2. Ask their care recipient if they would prefer that our caregiver wear a face mask during the shift. Our client coordinators will be stopping by our care recipients’ houses to provide a small amount of complimentary masks. However, if you prefer that our caregivers wear masks, we highly encourage our care recipients to purchase and supply a larger quantity of masks for caregiver use upon entering the home. 

Please note that the CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask unless you are sick or are caring for someone who is sick and unable to wear a face mask. This is at least partially motivated by the short supply of face masks. It is our care recipient’s option if they choose for our caregivers to wear masks when no symptoms are present, but also their responsibility to provide the supply of face masks once our complementary ones are gone .

Phase 2 of the Coronavirus Action Plan requires our caregivers to make the following certifications at each shift:
 
  1. I certify that I was fever free for the shift.
  2. I certify that I have been cough free for this shift and the last 7 days. If not, explain in notes. Their explanation will be reviewed daily by their client coordinators to determine if the cough is from a pre-existing condition, a new condition, and if there any other symptoms present, such as a fever or difficulty breathing.
  3. I certify that I have not been in contact with anyone who is known to me to have Coronavirus or has been quarantined for potentially having Coronavirus.
  4. I certify that I have not traveled outside of the State of Michigan in the last 14 days. If you have, explain in notes where you traveled. Their explanation will be reviewed daily by their client coordinators to determine the details of their travel and whether they have a high risk of being exposed to the virus.
 
Phase 2 of the Coronavirus Action Plan requires our caregivers to notify the office immediately if they have a fever of 100 degrees or higher; are experiencing non chronic shortness of breath or coughing. 
 
The health of our care recipients and our caregivers is of the utmost importance to us. Although we believe in the importance of maintaining calm, given the recent spread of this virus into our State, and now our region, we consider it necessary to activate these precautionary measures at this time in an attempt to minimize our care recipients’ exposure. We assure you that we are continuing to monitor the situation and will likely take additional actions based off the CDC recommendations and what is in the best interests of our caregivers and care recipients.
 
If you would like more information, we encourage you to review the resources available on the Centers for Disease Control for the most current information. You also can download the CDC’s Situation Summary of the Coronavirus Disease, Steps to Prevent Illness and What to Do if you Catch the Coronavirus HERE.
 
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the 24/7 number 269-459-6464. Our client Coordinators stand ready to address your concerns. As always, you are welcome to speak with the co-owners, Kara Hoorn or Denny Stults, at any time by calling 269-743-3490. 

We remain privileged to be a member of your care team and you and your loved one's concerns are our concerns.
                                                                                         
 
Best Regards,
Kara Hoorn and Denny Stults, Co-Owners
Ellen Kuck, Chief Operating Angel
COVID19 Update from Visiting Angels