COVID-19

FAQ: Understanding Remote Health Care

Telehealth, also called telemedicine or remote health care, has been around since well before this year. However, its importance has grown in a new way since the beginning of 2020. You may already have had telehealth visits with some of your health providers. Or, you may have heard that it’s an available option for those who can’t or don’t want to go to a doctor’s office. But what is remote health care and how does it work?

what-is-remote-health-for-seniors

Who Will I See if I Use Remote Health Care?

Because it’s still a relatively new field, we still use a lot of different terms for this kind of care. Telehealth or telemedicine are the words often used by doctors themselves. Colloquially you will likely hear friends or family mention a remote doctor, remote health, or virtual checkups. All of these words mean the same thing: care from a doctor that happens via the computer or phone.

Some remote doctors visits happen via programs like Zoom. However, most hospitals and doctor groups prefer to use specialized healthcare apps or websites. In many cases, the exact same doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners are seeing patients both in-person and online.

In places where COVID-19 has shut down or limited “non-essential” health care appointments, remote health is becoming increasingly popular. While it doesn’t come with all the traditional trappings of a regular doctor visit, telemedicine can provide much of the same care for routine health support.

Is Remote Health Safe and Effective?

For routine checkups and simple problems like colds or sore throats, remote health care is a safe and effective option. A regular check-in chat with your doctor may even be easier and faster than an in-person visit. Some practices even provide at-home equipment like blood pressure monitors that connect digitally to your doctor’s office via the Internet.

For emergency care or any treatment that requires a hands-on examination, in-person visits are a better choice. However, for simple things, online care is an equally good option and may be both safer and more convenient than visiting the doctor in-person if you live in a high-risk area. This is especially true for high-risk groups like the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions

Is My Privacy Protected With Remote Health Care?

Telehealth providers must meet strict security requirements. HIPAA privacy laws and regulations apply to online doctors just like other health providers. The special apps that they use are designed to keep your privacy secured as well. From the perspective of your doctor, remote visits are just as carefully private and confidential as in-person visits are.

To make sure that your personal health information stays secure, there are some simple measures you can take to protect your own medical privacy as well:

Always use a secure internet connection (not public Wi-Fi)
Call your doctor from a private, enclosed area rather than a common space
Do not share your login information with anyone at any time

Is Remote Health Care Covered By Insurance?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many health insurance companies have temporarily expanded their coverage to include remote visits. This means that even if your insurance didn’t cover remote care before, it might be covered now.

There are also remote health care options that charge a flat fee for those who don’t carry health insurance. These visits often cost less than the same kind of care in-person.

What Kind of Equipment Do I Need to Use Remote Health?

If you have a computer, tablet, or smartphone, you should be able to see your doctor virtually. Because each doctor and hospital may prefer a different program, the specific details will vary.

If you are using a desktop computer or an older model laptop computer, make sure that you have access to a webcam. These cameras are typically built into newer laptops and tablets. If you have already been able to video call with friends or family, you have the equipment you need to use remote health.

Looking for information about senior assisted living in Texas? Click here to set up a conversation with one of our senior care experts or schedule a virtual tour.

Caring for Your Parents During COVID-19

Caring for your parents during COVID-19 is no joke. Many families are struggling to raise their kids, keep working, and still care for their elderly parents. With all of the disruption and strain of this pandemic, tasks that used to be easy now feel overwhelming for many folks.

What can you do? As senior care experts, we want to offer you some ideas and encouragement for getting through these difficult days.

Caring for your elderly parents during COVID-19

How Do I Keep My Elderly Parents Safe From COVID-19?

We hear this question a lot, even months into this pandemic. We all know that the elderly are at the highest risk from COVID-19, especially if they have preexisting conditions. What can you do to help your mom and dad be safe?

Whether they live alone or with you, the best way to protect your aging parents from COVID-19 is to avoid their being exposed at all. This also means keeping yourself from being exposed, as much as possible. These steps are small but powerful safety measures:

Have a supply of masks that are comfortable and easy to put on
Wash hands for at least 20 seconds before and after food preparation, toileting, coughing, or leaving the house
Regularly sanitize all high-touch surfaces, including walkers, canes, and handrails
Avoid crowds or large social gatherings, even with masks
Limit visits from non-household members
Consider delaying unnecessary checkups or transitioning to telehealth
Avoid all non-essential travel

How do I Keep the Cure From Being Worse Than the Disease?

Isolation puts seniors, especially those who usually rely on a network of outside helpers, at high risk of depression. Physical distancing and social isolation feel like they go hand in hand, but they don’t need to. Here are some simple ideas for helping your parent stay connected during this time:

Help them connect with family members and friends via video calling
Have loved ones send photos, cards, and care packages
Involve them in helpful tasks that meet their level of ability, like creating a scrapbook of family recipes or reading to your children
Plan coordinated activities, like virtual movie nights or reading the same book together

What Should I Do if I Get Sick While Caregiving?

Do you worry about what to do if you get exposed or become sick while caring for your aging parent?

Every family should have a plan in place before something like this happens. Some people with COVID-19 have no symptoms at all. However, some become seriously ill very fast. That’s why it’s key to plan ahead. You don’t want to have to be making complicated plans or decisions in the middle of an emergency.

It’s wise to create a folder or binder with a written family plan that you or others can access if needed. Some things to consider including in this plan are:

Emergency contact number(s) for backup caregivers or a respite assisted living residence
Contact information for your family’s medical caregivers
Medical prescriptions, dosage, and insurance information
Copies of power of attorney, advance directives, and other important legal documents
Notes about any special considerations like dietary restrictions or assistive devices

Think about who might use this plan. The answer will depend on your unique family situation. It may be for your parent, for yourself or a spouse, or an emergency contact.

If your parent forgets things or gets confused, think about posting a highly visible plan for them on the wall or another place they can easily find. This should have simple, step-by-step directions for what they should do in an emergency.

Finally, if you or a family member have been exposed to Coronavirus, all household members should wear masks, even if nobody is showing symptoms. The sick or exposed person should stay in a separate area of the house from others as much as possible.

What Can I Do if This All Feels Like Too Much?

Caregiver burnout is a real and serious problem. If you doubt your ability to safely care for your elderly loved one for any reason, there is help. From video-based therapy to short or long-term assisted living respite care, the best thing you can do for your parent or loved one is to care for yourself so that you can care for them.

If you are looking for help or a safe place for your loved one to go during this crisis, you can reach out to us today to talk about assisted living options and support for caregivers.

Updates for COVID-19

Is assisted living safe during COVID-19? August 7th Update

As many of you are aware, Govt. Abbott released an update on 8/6/2020 in regard to opening up our facilities. I want to share a few of the specifics that I do know as of today 8/7/2020 as many of you have reached out with questions. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced limited visitation rules for Assisted Living Facilities. We will be required to enhance emergency rules requiring additional action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 as this continues to be a rapidly evolving situation and are constantly assessing what actions are necessary to keep our residents and staff safe in our facilities. Our goal is the reunite our residents with their families and friends.

As we know the access to family and loved ones is an important part of every resident’s health and well-being we also recognize the need to balance the emotional and physical health impacts of isolation against serious dangers that COVID poses to our vulnerable residents.

Although visitors are not allowed in at this time, I will be working diligently over the next several days to prepare for visitation. There are several items I need to have in place per HHSC that are required in advance to assure our residents, families and staff remain safe. My hope is that by mid next week you will all be able to see your loved one at some point.

For the health and safety of our facility residents and staff, public visitation will be limited to outdoor visits only. Physical contact between residents and visitors will not permitted. Additional conditions we will be required to conduct during outdoor visitation include:

No confirmed positive COVID-19 case in staff in the last 14 days.
No active positive case in residents.
Adequate infection control procedures.
Facility staff MAY be required to test weekly.
6ft social distancing between resident and family member.
Resident and family member must wear mask at all times.

Further information will be sent out next week as I receive information additional information from HHSC.

I want to thank all of you for your patience, love and support during this unforeseen pandemic. It will be a joyous day for us all to allow our families to return and especially the day you all get to wrap your arms around yours and our precious residents.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Administrator or myself.

Tessa Wilson

Director of Clinical Care and Operations

tessa@newhavenassistedliving.com

Resources for Seniors in Quarantine

As the Coronavirus crisis continues, many of us are living under stay-at-home orders or are choosing to voluntarily self-isolate for safety reasons. But isolation is hard for everyone, and it is especially hard for seniors. You may already have been managing age-related changes in your social habits and relationships, and now this. What can be done to help deal with the struggles of isolation? We’d like to share these resources for seniors in quarantine with you.

Dealing With Boredom During a Pandemic

Boredom is a major problem for anybody who is newly homebound, and it seems like it only gets worse with time. Staying entertained at home can improve your mental health and morale.

Explore a new hobby. It’s a great time to try something new. Simple crafts like bead making, soap carving, or painting are simple and inexpensive for beginners. If a craft doesn’t sound like your thing, try gardening or tending houseplants, doing jigsaw puzzles, or listening to audiobooks. You can even get free audiobooks from your library on your phone or computer.
Go digital. The world online has more than ever to offer to those stuck at home. With a computer, iPad, or smartphone, you can access a wealth of free entertainment and enrichment resources. Try everything from home workout programs to podcasts to new communities of like-minded friends.
Make a call. If you can’t visit with friends or family, why not arrange a video call? You can even organize a game night! From bingo to cards to classic board games like Scrabble, pull out your smartphone and join the fun with old friends or new ones.
Enjoy some culture. The internet also offers arts and culture experiences, from YouTube videos of live theater and dance to digital tours of museums around the world. You may not be able to get on a plane right now but it doesn’t need to stop you from seeing the sights!

Dealing With Stress During a Pandemic

Beyond boredom, isolation can lead to sadness, stress, and anxiety. When your routine is suddenly changed, it’s hard to find ways to keep going at home.

Keep up with exercise. Even if you can’t get to the gym or your exercise class, you can stay active. From home videos and DVDs to free and premium options on digital streaming services, home exercise instruction has never been easier to find at every level of ability. Just remember not to undertake a new exercise routine without consulting your doctor.
Keep up with nutrition. Low blood sugar can make you irritable or anxious. To avoid this, keep a regular routine with meals. Making a meal plan or trying new recipes can help prevent food boredom.
Treat yourself to something nice. When stress starts to get to you, try conscious steps to lift your mood. A new book, a walk around the block, or a phone call to a loved one can all help chase the blues away.

Dealing With Practical Needs During a Pandemic

Sometimes the hardest needs to meet are practical ones. For seniors newly stuck at home, there may be a learning curve for meeting daily practical needs.

Try food delivery. There’s been a boom in food delivery service recently and they’re extra helpful now. Grocery delivery services like Instacart and Dumpling are easy to set up on a basic smartphone and most stores now offer curbside pickup so you can fill your pantry without ever leaving the car.
Protect yourself and others. If you’re out and about, wear a mask and wash hands often. Keep physical distance from others. Use sanitizing cleaners to wipe down surfaces in your home after you have a visitor or bring something in from outside. Remember not to mix different kinds of cleaning products as this can create toxic fumes.
Take your finances online. There’s never been a better time to go paperless. If you usually bank and pay bills by mail or in person, consider switching to online banking online banking and bill pay. Reach out by phone to your bank or utilities companies for reliable and secure help.

Life is certainly upside-down right now. But quality of life, mental health, and physical safety don’t need to suffer. Taking care of yourself is more important than ever.

If managing life at home without the help and community you’ve been used to is feeling like too much, assisted living may be a good option for you. To learn more about assisted living and how it can lighten your load, why not visit us for a digital tour today?

Personal Protective Equipment: Pandemic Safety for Seniors

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a hot topic everywhere these days. There’s a lot of misinformation out there about what to wear, what it does, and how to use it safely.

If you’re confused about PPE and how to use it in your daily life, this blog post is for you. Use it as a quick guide to understanding the different kinds of PPE, what they’re for, who should use them, and how.

What to Know About Cloth Masks

The CDC recommends cloth masks for non-health care providers. Cloth masks should contain at least two layers of a tightly woven, breathable material such as quilting cotton or heavy-duty jersey. These masks help block the flow of germs out of your mouth and nose to protect others around you from getting sick. Remember to wash a cloth mask after every use to avoid contamination.

Recommended for: Everyday wear to protect others around you
Not recommended for: Preventing infection if you are near other people who are not wearing a mask

What to Know About Surgical Masks

A surgical mask is a disposable paperlike mask designed to be discarded after a single use. You can recognize surgical masks as the kind you most often see at a doctor or dentist appointment. These masks help block the flow of germs out of your mouth and nose to protect others around you from getting sick.

Recommended for: Health providers who need to protect others from bacteria or viruses
Not recommended for: Repeated use; Preventing infection

What to Know About N-95 Respirators

An N-95 respirator is a special reusable mask designed to filter small particles such as mold, bacteria, and some viruses out of the air that you breathe. N-95 masks are popular with contractors which is why you can often find them at hardware stores.

These masks filter the air that you breathe and can remove up to 95% of small particles before they get to you. An N-95 respirator with no front exhaust valves also helps block the flow of germs to others from your mouth and now. However, respirators with front exhaust valves will not protect others from your germs. N-95 masks rely on proper fit and a tight seal to be effective and won’t help if they don’t fit right.

Recommended for: Health care providers who need protection from infection
Not recommended for: Use by non-medical personnel

What to Know About Face Shields or Goggles

A face shield is a clear plastic sheet worn over the face. A face shield helps protect your eyes, nose, and mouth from small droplets that may carry bacteria or viruses. However, it does not clean or filter the air that you breathe. Most health care providers use a surgical mask or respirator in combination with their face shield. Goggles offer protection only for the eyes and not for the nose or mouth.

Recommended for: People who are at risk of being exposed to coughs and sneezes
Not recommended for: Replacing a cloth mask or surgical mask

What to Know About Gloves

Health care professionals wear gloves to avoid spreading germs from a dirty surface to a clean one, a process called cross-contamination. This is why for gloves to be helpful, you must change and discard them after every time they touch a “dirty” surface.

Recommended for: Healthcare professionals trained in appropriate use of gloves
Not recommended for: Protection while shopping or performing other activities that require touching many different things

Is it Safe to Wear a Mask?

You may have heard rumors that wearing a mask can lower your oxygen levels or cause serious health risks. Fortunately, these rumors are mostly not true. Unless your own personal doctor tells you that a mask is unsafe for you, you should wear a mask. There is not strong evidence that mask wearing reduces blood oxygen levels or causes breathing problems or infections.

Remember that cloth masks are best for helping to keep others safe. Therefore, wearing a cloth mask may not protect you from being infected if you visit with people who are not wearing masks. For the same reason, masks protect you best when combined with physical distancing at a space of 6 feet apart or more.

What PPE Should I Be Wearing?

Because of our levels of exposure and risk, most of us only need to wear a cloth mask. Your doctor can advise you about whether you should wear something more protective than this. You may see others wearing extra PPE. However, unless they are medical care providers, a cloth mask and possibly goggles or a face shield are enough.

If you’re interested in our COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, click here to learn more and read our most frequently asked questions about assisted living and Coronavirus.

Is Assisted Living Safe?

As COVID-19 continues to spread, we hear one question more than any other from both our current and prospective residents: is assisted living safe?

Seniors are at the highest level of risk from the novel coronavirus. It’s natural that there are major questions about whether senior living is safe for them during this time. Frightening news reports from some states can make it sound as though all senior living residences are hot spots for viral disease. Thankfully, this is not the case; assisted living is still a safe option for most seniors.

Coronavirus Response for Senior Living

The overall health and safety of staff and residents is our top priority.

New Haven residents and staff continue to stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak. New Haven staff have gone above and beyond the standards to ensure our resident safety. These are the safety guidelines that the New Haven Staff is adhering to:

Wearing Face Masks

New Haven is following the recommendations of Center for Disease Control – staff and residents wear face masks. Staff must wear masks at all times. When staff is in the apartment working with a resident or outside of the apartment, residents wear also wear a mask.

New Haven has also asked that all essential healthcare workers visiting New Haven wear masks.

Outside Health Provider Protocols

Upon arrival, all outside health providers must answer and pass a COVID-19 questionnaire and have their temperature taken. New Haven has asked that home health/hospice visits take place at the beginning of their day to help prevent the spread of disease from one facility to another.

COVID-19 Questionnaire

In an effort to track signs and symptoms of the illness, all staff and residents must also regularly complete a COVID-19 questionnaire. The questionnaire is performed twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Staying PPE Supplied

New Haven developed guidelines early on in order to ensure adequate supply of PPE supplies. Additionally, PPE inventory is tracked daily in order for communities to have the equipment necessary to keep residents and staff safe.

Communication

New Haven has implemented a CareMerge broadcast messaging system. Immediate COVID-19 communication is sent via text, voicemail, and email to facility staff and families.

We want to ensure that our families and staff are the first to know about any immediate changes within each community, and the CareMerge Broadcast messaging system has made the process efficient.

Health and Mental Status

Residents complete a Health and Mental Status assessments each week to assess mental wellbeing of our residents. Not only is the health of our residents a top priority, but the overall well-being is of utmost importance as well.

Life Enrichment

New Haven has increased hours of Activity Directors due to the visitor restriction of their loved one to prevent isolation and depression. We want to continue to keep our residents active, as this helps with their overall health. In order to keep social distancing and keep our residents active, we have adjusted our daily schedule to offer small social activities, but still, allow our residents to stay socially distant and active.

Virtually Connected

Our aim is to keep families engaged on a daily basis. To stay virtually connected, iPads help residents stay connected with their loved ones. We have also increased posting of daily activities on Facebook.

Experience the New Haven resident-centered environment that our communities offer so that your loved one feels secure and enjoys all the comforts of home. Let us calm your fears about making the decision to move your loved one in this uncertain time.

Please visit our website and Facebook page for continued updates on our response to COVID-19.

Getting Creative for Family Visits

“Rae Martin, a licensed vocational nurse at New Haven Assisted Living in Spring said the facility has also been leaning on technology to help residents and families keep in touch.

“I email the families, a few times a week, at least every other day to keep them updated on new updates for the coronavirus and activities going on in the building,” Martin said. “I send them pictures; we pretty well keep in touch. It’s like a huge family here.”

However, should families need more than virtual conversations over video, Martin said families can also visit and see loved ones through residents’ windows.

Visit Here to see more about how we are getting creative for family visits!