The Cost of Keeping Caregivers and their Clients Safe During a Pandemic

By Janice Pollard, Director of Marketing for Best Life Brands

“I am not in a high-risk age group for COVID-19. But every day, my job is to care for someone who is,” says Ines Zapata, a caregiver in the greater Orlando area.

According to the CDC, the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 among adults increases with age, with older adults at highest risk. That makes the health and safety of the caregivers who look after them all the more important. And it is the responsibility of those employing the caregivers to ensure they have the resources to do their job safely.

For Ines’ employer, Cindy Gray, owner of ComForCare of Greater Orlando, she sprung into action in early March when coronavirus was just starting to infiltrate the United States. Cindy spent more than $20,000 on personal protective equipment anticipating needing it for the 66 caregivers she employs. As the virus began to take hold around the U.S. and elder care facilities went into lockdown, she then required that her caregivers get tested, even before it became a mandate in Florida for those providing care within a facility to get tested every two weeks.

“It was the right thing to do to make sure that we are protecting our caregivers and those who they care for,” said Gray. “But it doesn’t come without cost and headaches for everyone. Some of my caregivers have had to wait all day to get tested and then have to wait several days for the results before they can do their job.”

Ines shares the frustration. “It’s no fun. You have to fit it in around your schedule. Arrive early to get your place in line and sit in a hot car for hours.”

Frustrated by this process for her caregivers, Cindy reached out to the Seminole County Florida Department of Health and worked with them to arrange for all of her caregivers to be tested at once.

“Naturally there are some nerves and discomfort around being tested, so we tried to make it fun by distributing Healthcare Hero t-shirts and doing fun raffles and giving away goodies including 8-hours of paid time-off. The tradeoff is the peace of mind that comes with real data when caring for vulnerable seniors is your job,” said Gray.

For Ines, it was this coordination which makes her appreciate her employer. “Cindy genuinely cares about her business, staff and clients.”

Unfortunately, the Department of Health will not be able to continue with the group testing as they only have enough resources to support staff in elder care facilities and not for home care. Which then continues to leave the financial burden and the safety of the caregivers up to owners like Gray.

Perhaps Gray said it best when she posted the photo on social media of her caregivers getting tested, “We are in this together.” It is this mentality that will be the way forward during challenging times.

For careers in caregiving across the country, visit www.comforcare.com/careers or in Houston, Texas, at www.atyoursidehomecare.com/