COVID-19 Policies and Precautions

What you need to know about COVID-19

Stowell is proactively preparing for possible effects of COVID-19 to you, your families and our clients. The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting that the highest risk of severe disease and death for COVID-19 is for those age 60 and older and those with underlying health conditions. This is the age and medical profile of most of our clients, so we have to be extra mindful of preventing the spread of such disease.


With our shared commitment to each other, our clients and our community, what can we do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19? 

• Educate yourself. The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath. If you, or someone in your household, is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention.

• Stay home when sick. Caregivers should never work if they are experiencing a fever higher than 101, contagious cough, or diarrhea. We work with a very susceptible clientele, and we would never want to spread illness to our clients, client families, or fellow co-workers (or the community at large). If you need to be absent due to potential contagious illness, let the Care Coordinators know.

• Practice standard precautions. You should always treat soiled linens, blood, and bodily fluids as if they might be contagious. Practice good hand hygiene. Cover your cough and encourage clients to do the same.

Seasonal Influenza (Flu) remains a concern. Government health agencies are encouraging flu shots to decrease the severity and length of flu, as well as the potential to decrease the same for COVID-19. If you have not had a flu shot and you need help, including financial help to obtain one, please contact Human Resources.

If you care for someone in a facility:

If you care for someone in a facility and you learn that there are visiting restrictions in place, please start by politely explaining that you are a caregiver from Stowell to care for (resident’s name) and inquire if caregivers are able to enter the facility.  If you are unable to provide care due to restrictions, please inform the Care Coordinators.

The best way to fight germs like that of flu and Coronavirus (COVID-19) is to practice prevention.

Here are practical tips, that you will need to incorporate into all of your shifts:

• Upon shift arrival, sanitize your hands before you enter the home. If you’re working in a facility, you’ll need to do this more often.• Once in the home, sanitize or wash your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Do your very best to do this before you encounter/touch the client(s).

• If the client(s) does not need immediate help; do a Sanitizing Sweep of the main surface areas: Doorknobs, light-switches, home phone, cell phones, toilet handles, sink handles, kitchen areas (handles, knobs, faucet, etc.)

• If your client is forgetful, remind them or assist them in washing their hands.

• Don’t forget to consistently wash your hands after toileting, before preparing food, after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing, handling dirty linens, and providing personal cares for clients.

These things are important every day, even when it’s not flu season!
Looking for more informaiton on COVID-19? 

For more information about this new virus, visit WHO’s website. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has also released these two informative guides: COVID-19 Facts and What You Need to Know About COVID-19.