mooncatzzz Asked May 2020

Should home care workers wear a face mask at their client's homes during the COVID-19 pandemic?

There are two home care workers who come to my parents' home (one during the week and the other on the weekend), and neither of them wear a face mask in my parents' house. Both of these workers are around other people outside of my parents' house, because they go to the grocery store, they share their home with their spouse/boyfriend, children. However, there's no rule in our state requiring that home care workers wear a face mask.

Should the workers be wearing face masks as a precaution to prevent spreading the virus in the homes of their elderly clients? If you are a home care worker, have you been wearing a face mask at your client's home? By the way, I realize what a pain it is to wear a mask: they are hard to breathe through, they get hot, they're annoying & can be uncomfortable. But this is about protecting the clients (who are already isolated in their homes during the virus) from outside exposure.

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My 91 year old dad is in late stages of dementia and frail although he has no other co-morbidities. I have hired (privately, no agencies) a team of 4-5 caregivers who work various shifts caring for him 24/7.
I provided clothe masks that they must wear anytime they are within 6-8 feet of him, especially during up close contact such as shaving him or preparing his food. However, we also provide sanitizing spray such as MicroBan which caregivers use 2x per shift on any surfaces my dad might touch such as doorknobs, sink faucets, etc.
I discourage glove use because if not handled correctly, they do more harm than good re: cross contamination. I do NOT recommend putting a mask on a frail man at anytime he is in his home and not showing any sign of illness.
I have Nanny Cams in areas where my dad spends time other than bathrooms and guest bedroom where caregiver sleeps. Our team knows that I can “peek” in at anytime to hold them accountable re: wearing the masks as required. They have all been wonderful at following this guidance. I do not require them to wear the masks when they are spaced away from him by at least 6 feet. We even provided clips for them to clip masks to their own blouse so it’s handy for putting on quickly if they need to tend to him.
Lastly and important: the masks I provided them are for at my dad’s home ONLY and they are to be washed daily. If they want masks for any other place they go such as grocery stores, they have to wear one of their own.

Helpful Answer (11)

Well done!!

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My mother has an RN visit each week. I asked if she would wear a mask while treating my mother. This was at the start of the pandemic. No problem with nurse wearing a mask. I put a mask on my mother while she is being treated. I would asked the home health workers to wear a mask, it is in the best interest of your parents safety.

Helpful Answer (9)

"This was at the start of the pandemic."

You've been very wise. It is so sad thinking that just people who were extra careful and made sure to use their individual common sense from the very beginning instead of relying on WHO's and governments' suggestions (remember? "Masks only protect others, you don't need a mask, only doctors need one") have effectively protected themselves ( and others!) and perhaps saved many lives without knowing it.

How many more lives could have been saved if they told us the truth instead? ("Folks, masks will save your lives but we don't have enough, we need them for doctors and nurses")If they blocked the sale of masks for the general public, many more people would have stayed at home to feel safer. Or at least, they would have had that choice.

I remember reading an article in early March about the exact dynamics of COVID contagion on a bus in China. The article said the only person who didn't get contaged was wearing an N95 mask. Others who weren't wearing a mask, including people sitting at 8 meters(!) from the person who was already ill, got all contaged, then spread it to others.

This article was a game changer for me. I tried to tell as many people as I could, but you all know the rest of the story.

I still feel extremely sad about this. Talking about lack of transparency.

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I live in a IL apt complex close to my mother. All healthcare workers, delivery ppl, or any other type workers wear masks at all times. Im in central Florida. In addition to the masks they are required to wash their hands for 30 seconds upon arriving and every hour while they are with patient ( home health ppl) Sure hope you can get this situation corrected. Even if there is a no mask in place, it is just common sense that the workers wld not want to expose your parents like this....

Helpful Answer (8)

Wow, that's an excellent way to help keep people safe. I hope I can get this corrected soon, too.

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Short answer is, absolutely yes!!

Helpful Answer (8)

I agree, the more I think about it.

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Absolutely yes! If they are from an agency, I would recommend you call and ask the agency how they are educating, screening, testing, and training their staff when it comes to COVID-19. How are they limiting risks of exposure to their clients? Are these workers wearing disposable gloves? Are they supplied with masks? What kind? Do they wash their hands immediately upon entering the home before donning gloves? Do they take their temp before work? Are they sure not to come to work even with a "cold?" Are they keeping the same workers with the same clients and not shuffling people around? Nursing Homes (such as where I work as a healthcare provider)and Assisted Living Facilities went into lockdown with no visitors with people isolated in their rooms and still the infection rate soared and continues to do so. That must mean that there are many asymptomatic carriers of the virus eluding the screening process and passing the virus when providing care. Until there is a fast, reliable and widely available test for the virus, and/or a vaccine, care providers must do everything in their power to minimize transmission of the virus both at work and in their personal lives. They bear an added responsibility because they provide care to a vulnerable population. This is a new world, and if they don't take this seriously, you might want to consider switching to care providers who are making steps to meet this challenge. A mask may play a part in lessening the chance of spreading the virus, but there's more to it than that.

If your care providers are not from an agency, they will have little access for education, support, screening or PPE. I advise you to check it out.

Helpful Answer (8)

Thank you for this post.

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Yes they should ! As the owner of my Home Care Agency ALL of my employees MUST wear face mask and gloves when going into a client's home while providing services. We want to make sure everyone is safe in every direction.

Helpful Answer (8)

I would insist upon it. If you want them to wear a mask, tell them to wear a mask. Otherwise you are exposing your loved ones to EVERYONE they have been around. Yes, it is very hot and very uncomfortable, but they are healthcare workers they should understand.

Helpful Answer (8)

ABSOLUTELY!!! YOU MAKE IT YOUR OWN HOUSE RULE. Prior to the quarantine, I had masks that I gave all who visited. It wasn't in our home state in reports yet. When the first was reported I posted a sign in the window that we were self quarantining. This was prior to March 1st. Look where we are now. look on line find a sign print it i couldn't include one here and post in the window even if you aren't there.

Helpful Answer (7)

Before the pandemic I had five caregivers covering a 24/7 schedule for my 89 year old dad in Oregon (I live in California). To limit his risk, I reduced to three caregivers, based on their personal situation and assurances they would be adhering to shelter in place orders outside of dad’s home. I have not asked the carers to wear masks during their long shifts, due to the fact that it would be terribly uncomfortable for them, and would no doubt confuse my dad who has dementia. Instead, I require them to leave their Purse, coat and shoes at the door, where they also sanitize their cell Phones and wash their hands and scrub their nails before seeing my dad. This seems reasonable to me, but I’m interested in hearing others’ responses. Thanks for posing the question.

Helpful Answer (7)

As long as one of his caregivers is exhaling. The risk for your loved one to inhale the virus is high. Once he has contracted it, if any of the three caregivers is at any time inhaling, may become a carrier as well. So while protecting your father from the presence of masked caregivers, you are tripling his chances to become a carrier then a spreader. He is fortunate you can afford 24/7 any caregiver. Caregivers could put a happy face sticker as an obvious decoration while in close proximity to him.

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