I'm nervous about bringing Mom's aides back during the Covid-19 pandemic; what to do so everyone is safe and effective?

I'm in the same boat, I have to bring mom's aide back next week so I can get out, I haven't left the house since March. I will make sure she wears a mask and takes her shoes off. Her aide doesn't do any bathing or feeding, she's a companion so I'm thinking of having her stay 6 feet away and watch TV with her. I'm nervous about someone entering the house, but there's not much of a choice at this point.

As an RN, here is my take. Always wash hands upon entering your home and before doing hands-on care of your mother. Wear a mask when doing hands on care but masks off when providing companionship - until she can get a vaccine. Aides should do extra cleaning of counters, door knobs... any high-touch areas where they and your mother are. Save the gloves for toileting and bathing perineal areas.

Gloves, yes if there is personal contact.
Mask , yes if they are going to be closer than the 6 foot recommend distance.
Covering for clothing, yes again if there is going to be personal, bodily contact. (this can happen transferring or guiding someone to a chair or to the bathroom or just walking) ((I suggested in another post to possibly buy a few "scrubs" and have them so a caregiver can change when they come to the house and change before they leave, you can wash the scrubs and they will be clean and dry for the next day))
Screen caregivers before they come in, are they feeling alright, fever, aches, any contact with anyone that has been ill or has tested positive.
You need a break. Your mom needs a break. You need to get work done.
This is a decision you make and you weigh the "Benefit VS Burden" when deciding what is the right thing to do.
No "right or wrong" answer...........

Are they ready to come back to work? Are you paying them while they are at their homes? By having someone come in, you're taking a risk, but the goal is to minimize that risk as much as possible by limiting exposures and interactions. Masks are so important. Get some cloth face coverings for the home -- silk or pretty ones in splashy colors for everybody so they dont have to buy them. Keep some at the house, some for them in their personal life that are more protective N95s for their protection. Next, set up additional handwashing basins / stations and have nice smelling handcream to make it more appealing. You have to take care of them so they can take care of your mom.Ask the aides what they are doing to limit exposures in regards to shopping especially; maybe get their groceries delivered for them, to your house or theirs and find out if you can help Also important is fhelp them apply for every covid program to increase their financial independence so they don't need another job. TAlk to them about not coming to work if they have any symptoms which isn't a guarantee bec they could be symptomless. Another thing, have a washable housecoat they could don upon entering your house, again limiting any cross-contamination (The CDC has a new advisory out about CV not so communicable by surfaces which I have to research). You can get a forehead scanner thermometer, although I got one and it's junk: everybody is 97.7. When I scan it over my open mouth, it was 98.6. They can bring their own thermometer and check their temp before entering your house. Bec this is traumatic for everyone, sweeten the pot with extra gratitude towards them.
The CDC recommends having good ventilation in her room, so open windows are a plus. I don't know if AC units are helpful.

I’m in a similar situation with my parents, we suspended their aides as well who help them with bathing and some other tasks like changing their bed linens and some other personal tasks. It probably hasn’t been hard on me as you though as I had been out of work for the past two months. I have been called back to work now so it’s a bit more challenging. We have been told that it’s safe to bring the aides back in, they do wear masks and gloves (although now we are told not to wear gloves).
We have not made any decision to bring them back in yet, I still think it’s very risky as they do deal with so many other clients plus their own personal lives. But in your case if it’s mostly for companionship, they could probably visit with your mom safely while keeping their distance. Hope this helps xo

More to think about from the posts here as I posted something similar. I do not feel reassured, and the stress/burden of concern, at this point in time may be worse having someone in than not. Gloves are no different than hands; aides can bring it in with them/be exposed anywhere from other clients and those they have been with to their own family and social lives. Antibody testing imo is an invasive request and what if the aide doesn't stay? What does it prove anyhow? Too many unknowns at this point. Some of the better masks have a valve to get more air in/be less hot...but finding them...that's another matter. I'm still sittin on the fence. Sometimes I think of this as being like a cold...it's out there, we can't avoid it and the majority will fortunately survive...EXCEPT this isn't a cold, it is deadly and many don't particularly if older. Very bad timing in our lives...

I believe that after the aide comes in they should wash or sanitize their hands with an alcohol rub and then glove up. Some say if no personal care or cleaning is being done this is not necessary, but I disagree. Reason 1 is the aide is gloving up for their protection-- not the client's-- as the area of care could be contaminated. Reason 2 is when your hands are gloved (and you are masked) you are less likely to touch your face and infect yourself. After the shift is complete the aide should remove gloves and wash or sanitize once again.

Same here. I am 24/7 caregiver for my husband who has had 8 strokes. He can't transfer and can only help a little, so I have to lift him, and I'm 72. Physically, I now have painful wrists, shoulders and back spasms. I cannot risk anyone coming in to help, though. What I am doing is purchasing as many 'toys' as possible to help me get through this. Shower/potty chair is my newest buy. Hopefully, that will help, as showering and toileting are my biggest issues. Luckily he's only 160 lbs, but still tough for a 115 lb 5'2" 72 year old to pick up! It's like lifting a dead cow, lol!

Good luck!

I would want fresh scrubs/uniform and masks and gloves. I would want to know their daily schedule. -- Are they working with other seniors that day? Are they taking bus? etc. Covid is so highly contagious. I cancelled all outside care when this all began. I do everything now. Not easy but I just don't trust things. I'm not ready to take the risk as it would mean potential death for my fragile mom.

I kept my mother’s private pay caregiver but with reduced hours. Her son drives her back and forth & she says she goes right home & does not go anywhere else. She wears mask. Gloves I provide when she washes & dresses mother & takes her on commode. I don’t have anyone else help me.
Hugs 🤗