What You Need to Know as the Pandemic Continues

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only ravaged the world, it has devastated our seniors, taking the lives of tens of thousands of those over the age of 65. Now, as many businesses begin to reopen, nursing homes and long term care facilities are faced with challenges previously unknown to them—protecting the lives of their residents and staff against this deadly, highly-contagious disease.  With this in mind, the CDC and other health agencies have established guidelines to help protect the health and safety of workers and seniors.

Accurate Reporting of Illnesses

According to the CDC, it’s crucial that nursing homes and long term care facilities report any and all illnesses and deaths associated with COVID-19. These numbers are vital to the CDC and other agencies working to stop the spread of the disease and help keep track of who is most affected.

Continued Testing

When it comes to stopping the spread of COVID-19, testing is key. Long term care facilities and nursing homes need to test frequently to identify those residents or staff members who have been infected. This allows them to isolate the cases and cease the spread of germs and thus prevent more people from becoming infected.

Enhanced Sanitation Practices

Now more than ever, those organizations who cater to the older population must implement enhanced sanitation policies. This includes ensuring that high traffic areas and common spaces throughout the facility are cleansed throughout the day and that workers understand and practice safe hygiene practices.

Address Loneliness and Isolation

One of the many issues that face seniors living in long term care facilities and nursing homes has always been loneliness. But today, with the strict guidelines prohibiting in-person visitation, the issue has become exacerbated.  To combat this, the CDC recommends these facilities implement new communication technologies that allow family members to virtually visit their loved ones. Using video software such as SKYPE, Zoom and others, residents and family can stay connected which helps ward off the depression, loneliness and anxiety of seniors.

While the cases of COVID-19 continue and Florida grapples with rising numbers, medical and care facilities caring for the most vulnerable need to ensure they are continuing to follow CDC guidelines.

Stay informed about what’s happening with the coronavirus and other issues to related to medical waste with All Points Medical Waste. As a family-owned and operated company in Stuart, Florida, we’re committed to helping you stay up to date and to serving you with all your medical waste needs. We offer full service medical waste disposal to hospitals, clinics, long term care facilities, nursing homes, dental practices, veterinarians and many more throughout South Florida. Give us a call today or fill out this form to learn more.