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

Yes, everyone needs to wear a mask. The hard part is getting everyone to wear one.

Hopefully now it's a few weeks later, this issue has been resolved for you?

Our health advice was to only wear masks if sick (to protect others) or if you have a health problem (to protect yourself). Sick people must stay home of course, but may need to go out briefly for medical appointments.

EMTs seem to wear masks when in close proximity to people but lower them when not.

My sister gets home carers & I asked if they wore masks. I was surprised when she said sometimes, but not all the time! But then I realised they may be doing as the EMTs are. Since our community transfer is low, I thought this is probably ok?

Then I found out my sister had cold symptoms (runny nose, headache, sore throat & cough). I just HOPE she told each of the multiple carers visiting she had symptoms! These carers have lists of clients each. I am horrified. I have phoned the agency to ensure all her carers have full PPE & are alerted.

Arwen, my brothers nurse an RN got insulted when she came into our house for his nurse visit, and asked me if the masks we were wearing was for her protection or ours, I replied it was for both. I want my elderly mother safe, and the rest of the family. I am not taking any chances. We could die from this dreadful disease.

I don't mean to sound rude, but I care and because I care, I'm going to tell it like it is! I worked in a care facility, in private homes and also volunteered at a care facility and in the middle of a pandemic where your parents are the most vulnerable age group, this is a SERIOUS concern! Plus, caregivers are dealing with multiple clients in very intimate situations! If I EVER saw a caregiver not taking EVERY precaution, I would fire them on the spot! No excuse for not wearing a mask.... NONE! A mask can be hand sewn and made at home! Also, just an idea--- there's folks with 3-D printers and they're soon going to be able, if not already, to GIVE the plans for a reusable N95 mask! You can check it out online! If you don't have a printer, I'm sure you could find someone to make you a few of them! You may have to pay a bit of money, but for what you are getting and for the safety of your family, it's well worth it! Another thing- that crying crap the caregiver pulls is unprofessional and needs to be addressed! God bless you and your family!

Hi everyone. Thank you for all of your responses. I will read them again when I have more time tomorrow. I really appreciate all of the feedback.

I’ve been checking in by phone at my parents' house at different times of the day, and the aide hasn't been wearing a face mask when I've called. And this is when she's within 6 feet of my dad. My parents want the aide to wear a mask, and hopefully they'll say something to her asap, but I'm not sure if she'll do what they ask, because she has an attitude at times and doesn’t always follow their requests, and she gets emotional (cries) when my parents ask her not to do something, so they sometimes feel uncomfortable making a request. They shouldn't feel this way in their own home. I asked my mom to display a sign stating that all workers in their home are to wear a mask, so I'll have to check back again on that sign (I'm unable to go to my parents' house at this time, or I'd make the sign for them).

I contacted my state's consumer protection agency and asked whether home aides should be wearing a mask, and the person who responded seemed concerned and said that someone from a different department should get in touch with me. I also contacted a professional home companion agency that has been in business for many decades, and they told me that they require all of their aides to wear face masks and, depending on the level of care, other PPE. They seem really professional, as opposed to the agency who my parents currently have, and my parents desperately want to have a more professional agency.

YES! The most vulnerable people are over 65. I'm 66 and am ready to meet my maker but, I pray it's not like that. My 90 year old mother lives with me and had home health come in once a week to dust, vaccum and visit. She is capable and willing to do more but, it's not necessary, I help with her shower and personal care. I put us in lockdown in March. Only the most foolish person would go into an elderly's home without masking, washing there hands and forearms with antibacterial soap and then put on a clean smock/covershirt.

These is new ground for everyone in the west and the choices are yours. Demand the minimal protection or play russian roulette.

My sister (who took over my PCG duties) reported at the very beginning (mid-March), she discussed same with the caretaker (4 hrs., 5 days/wk.). Caregiver lives with a sister and mother. She basically told my sis that her household is conscientious and follows the guidelines, but she didn't and doesn't wear a mask. My sister was o.k. with that. Actually, there are 7 other family members that come & go, and they don't wear masks in the house, either. They all claim they're behaving conservatively and responsibly. This situation has brought out issues like trust, and how well we know other people (what they might think is 'conservative', I may perceive as careless). Looking forward to reading responses!

I would I would say they should wear a mask when arriving at your parents home. However I think it would be best to talk with them after you speak to their agency (assuming you're using one) to let them know that people entering the home are required to wear a mask. Now a good agency should already have that regulation in place and they should also offer to pay for the masks and give them to their employees. It can be problematical if you're not using an agency or they're not caring for their own staff who don't make a great deal of money. If you're using private people then I would say you should tell them they should wear a mask; you should pay for the mask or have the mask available when they arrive.

Absolutely. Positively. No Question. No mask? No visit!

Yes

Everyone wear your mask when you are going to be around other people. It saves lives. Always wear your mask out in public.

I wear one when I contact with others and can’t wait to get into my car to take it off. It is hard to breath through, uncomfortable and hot but I wear an N95 Mask which will protect myself as well as others and they are very tight. There are other types of masks that look to be more comfortable and breathable which are designed to protect others, I do believe caretakers should wear those.

HI, just started a home care job and I have worn a face mask during interview and during my first night as I cooked and served fed and cleaned and it was the client that asked me when I was going to take off the face mask?
Are they uncomfortable with it ?

YES

Imho, yes, they should wear a face mask.

The daytime caregivers for my mom (who passed recently, naturally, not from Covid), who was their only client, didn't wear masks in the home. Mom got a kick out of seeing their smiles and so forth. The night time people were from an agency, which required them to wear masks and gloves; they had multiple clients. Mom had some dementia, so I don't think she understood the Covid situation and I think the mask wearing wasn't all that comforting, to say the least, as when she could see faces. I could tell the difference. I'm not advocating not wearing masks, just that there is a tradeoff to be considered.

I would think you would want them to wear a mask as long as they are closer than 7 feet, they should.. If they walk away for a bit, they can take off the mask for that bit...

Absolutely! For the safety of your parents, it should be a no brainer. The elderly are so vunerable!
And caregivers should also be using gloves and possibly gowns over their clothes whenever in the home as well. Every safety precaution should be taken: "Protect don't infect" has been a motto in Hawaii.
Be an advocate for your parents'
Health and wellness.

Thanks I just asked if my agency required mask of their aids and they said yes.
I told them mine weren't so they are going to tell them to. I said if they are more than 6 feet away I wouldn't be as concerned but if they get up to wait on him I want mask on

In my opinion, they should be wearing masks. I'm very surprised that your state has no recommendations regarding their usage. I would have them at the door and I would request that they was their ha nds and wear a mask while interacting with your parents.

Absolutely..
My dad has a HHA who comes four days a week ,and when the pandemic first began I said to her that if she or anyone she was around became sick to let me know.She showed up one day sick wearing a mask .I sent her away for a week and she got tested.

She comes wearing a mask and gloves and if she didn't she wouldn't be allowed in.

Yes !! Absolutely Yes!!!

Yes, it’s important for others who are vulnerable! It’s just the right thing to do plain and simple!!

Because of the horror of the situation, what choice do we have - we must wear masks in the presence of others. No choice. I hate them but I wear one.

I demand face masks for all caregivers, OT/PT, medical staffing and even family when visiting HIGH RISK individuals = our SENIORS. Are people really so reckless and dumb out there to visit the elderly unprepared like that?? wow

Absolutely. Bottom line..... know one knows if they are asymptomatic. Masks are for your protection and mine. Granted, they are uncomfortable, but if you consider the possible risk of exposing an elderly patient (or anyone else) then it's a no brainer. Not wearing one is unprofessional and selfish. Hopefully they are diligent about sanitizing, hand washing and all protocols necessary to help keep our vulnerable population safe.

Just curious....which state are you from?

I always wear a face covering to my patients home, no room for error when it comes to keeping my clients safe. That’s just me though 😊

I request my homemakers to wear masks.

I am not going to give you a "pat answer" but give facts about COVID-19 and you can decide:

COVID-19 FACTS:
1 - This virus can be deadly for the older population, those with heart disease, those with lung disease, those with diabetes and those with immune response issues.

2 - Incubation of disease is anywhere from 2 days to 6 weeks, 2 weeks being the usual.

3 - Transmission can be through inhaling infected exhalations of others or touching infected surfaces and then touching face or mucus membranes. A cough will travel farther than 6 feet. Individuals may be asymptomatic when spreading the disease. Most will have a dry cough and fever. Other symptoms resemble flu or upper respiratory infection.

4 - There is no vaccine yet. There are a few drugs that are promising for treating symptoms but nothing that will "kill" the virus.

5 - Illness spectrum. 75-80% of people will have no symptoms or mild symptoms (walking pneumonia). The remaining 20% will develop pneumonia that will require respiratory assistance in a hospital - including mechanical ventilation. Those that survive being hospitalized may need extensive rehab to rebuild muscle and endurance. There is a risk of permanent lung scarring leaving those patients with impaired quality of life. 3-5% of the population will probably die and almost all of those will be from the hospitalized patients.

The goal of social distancing efforts - masks, social distancing, increased hygiene and cleaning procedures - is to reduce the number of patients requiring ventilator care in our hospitals. In effect, the slow down the spread so we always have enough health care resources.

We will not have an end to this disease until every person meets 1of 2 criteria:
1 -successfully recovered from infection with positive test for antibodies
2 - vaccine administered and converted to positive test for antibodies

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.