FAQs on COVID-19

Updated Sept 9, 2022

What can I expect during my home visits?

We continue to screen clients and family members for COVID-19 prior to home visits, as well as daily self-screenings of our PSWs prior to starting their shifts.

Currently, Circle of Care PSWs are required to wear a medical mask during home visits. They should also wear gloves for those tasks that require them (such as toileting). In addition, your PSW will wear eye protection (face shield/goggles), a gown and shoe coverings if they are within an environment that has been exposed to COVID-19 or other identified infectious diseases.

We are fully compliant with all recommendations from Public Health officials. All of our PSWs are specially trained in best practices around infection control, hand hygiene and preparedness for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. We provide regular updates and education to our PSWs to ensure they stay safe in the community.

If you are concerned that your PSW is not wearing the correct protective equipment during your visit, please contact your Client Services Supervisor or your Service Coordinator.

As a client, what does Circle of Care ask of me?

Before your PSW begins providing care to you, it is important for you to let Circle of Care providers know if you or your family members in the home are sick, experiencing flu-like symptoms, or have been advised to self-isolate.

We encourage clients and their family members to wear a mask, as tolerated, while your care provider is in the home. This is recommended as added protection for clients and care providers.

When your PSW is not providing direct personal care, we have asked all our employees to maintain a 6-feet physical distance from you or your family members during their visit.

Lastly, if you have a new visitor in your home that does not live with you, please let us know immediately so we can take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus and maintain physical distance from your visitor. Depending on the visitor’s original place of residence, we may ask that this person remains in another room during our visit.

I am experiencing flu-like symptoms, or I have tested positive for COVID-19. What should I do?

Please call our office immediately. A Client Services Supervisor will follow up with you. We will work with you to prepare a plan of action that will protect our PSWs while being able to provide any essential care that you may need.

What precautions are being taken when my PSW goes to several clients, and then comes to me?

Infection prevention is especially important when PSWs are moving from client to client. This is why our PSWs are performing screening assessments prior to each client visit and practicing precautions as directed by Public Health. They have been provided training and education on the correct techniques for donning and doffing personal protective equipment between clients. PSWs are also trained to practice hand hygiene before and after every client visit, as this is the best way to prevent the spread of infection.

Why can’t I get the same worker for all my visits?

Continuity of care is something that we take very seriously and it is wonderful when we have the ability to schedule a single worker for each client. However, this is not always possible, due to scheduling conflicts related to the provision of time-sensitive care to other clients as well as PSW availability.