Integracare is dedicated to the health and safety of our Caregivers, Clients, and their families and loved ones. There are many questions about the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps we’re taking to make sure our Clients and Caregivers are safe while Caregivers continue to provide the highest quality home care services.

General Information About COVID-19

What is COVID-19?

According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 (or coronavirus disease) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people who become infected with COVID-19 experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness.

COVID-19 has been classified as a pandemic. There are no vaccines or treatments for COVID-19 at this time.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 is spread primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose, often transmitted when a person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. Droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person, and other people can catch COVID-19 by touching these objects and surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. COVID-19 can also be caught by breathing in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.

How can I protect myself against the spread of COVID-19?

Some simple precautions can help you reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19.

  • Regularly wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or if you cannot wash your hands, as an alternative clean them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill any viruses that may be on your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, as your hands come into contact with a variety of surfaces that could be contaminated.
  • Keep a distance of at least 2 meters (or 2 arms’ length) from others as much as possible.

The Government of Canada is encouraging everyone to practice social distancing by minimizing close contact with others, including:

  • Avoiding crowds and non-essential gatherings, even with family and friends,
  • Avoiding handshakes and hugs,
  • Staying home as much as possible and only making essential trips.

How can I prepare my home for COVID-19?

Take extra measures to clean and disinfect your home. This includes disinfecting all doorknobs, light switches, and hand railings.

If there is someone sick in your home, clean surfaces such as countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, as well as the surfaces listed above using a disinfectant or diluted bleach. Wear disposable gloves to clean and disinfect.

For soft surfaces, clean and disinfect using soap and water or appropriate cleaners.

Do the laundry with disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you remove the gloves. Do not shake dirty laundry and be sure to clean and disinfect clothes hampers.

Use a dedicated, lined trashcan for the person who is ill, use gloves when taking out trash bags, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

This information is from the CDC.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 and how/when should I be tested?

Many infected with COVID-19 may have little or no symptoms. Symptoms are similar to a cold or a flu, and you may not know you have it. Symptoms take up to 14 days to appear after exposure, the longest known incubation period for this disease.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • Fever,
  • Cough,
  • Difficulty breathing, and
  • Pneumonia in both lungs.

In severe cases, COVID-19 infection can lead to death.

The Government of Ontario now provides an online self-assessment tool for individuals who believe they may have COVID-19 symptoms. Based on your responses to a number of questions, you will be provided with clear directions which may include contacting a primary care provider who will conduct an assessment over the phone. You can also call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, which is open 24/7. These assessments can tell you whether or not you should be tested and how to do so.

If you are experiencing difficulty breathing or other severe systems, the Government of Ontario recommends calling 911 immediately.

How Integracare Is Handling COVID-19

What is Integracare doing in response to COVID-19?

Integracare has been in constant communication with our Coordinators and Caregivers to ensure the full continuity of services for our Clients. Here are the steps Integracare has taken to ensure the safety of our Clients and Caregivers while continuing to provide much-needed care:

SCREENING:

Any Caregivers reporting travel or illness have been put on the On Hold List for two weeks. Caregivers who have travelled are instructed to self-isolate for 14 days according to government recommendations.

As of Tuesday, March 23, Integracare has also introduced a new mandatory COVID-19 screening form in our app for Caregivers. Screening will be mandatory for Caregivers to clock into their shifts.

UNIFORMS:

We are requiring all Caregivers wear a clear Integracare Uniform while they work with all Clients. Last week, we gave out free uniforms at our office. Caregivers must change into a clean uniform at the beginning of each shift for the health and safety of both Clients and Caregivers. Caregivers have been informed not to wear their uniforms on public transit or in ride shares.

COMMUNICATIONS AND CARE COORDINATION:

Our 24/7 On Call Emergency Support remains open and available for both Clients and Caregivers. Our Coordinators have been working remotely and Remote Coordination has been a success.

We have been conducting Care Coordination remotely and will continue to do so. While we have limited staff at our offices to deliver Personal Protective Equipment and supplies, there are NO interruptions to our 24/7 On Call Support. Both our Clients and Caregivers can always reach out to us.

CONTINUING CARE:

Integracare Caregivers continue to provide care through the COVID-19 complications. We are even prepared to make sure you or your loved one continues to receive the care they need if they have contracted COVID-19.

EXTRA PRECAUTIONS:

Our Caregivers are taking extra precautions to clean and disinfect Clients’ homes, as well as take precautions themselves, such as changing into clean uniforms and wearing gowns and gloves while with Clients.

ONLINE EDUCATION:

We are providing online education modules on COVID-19 and continue to send Caregivers regular updates about hand washing procedures.

SUPPLIES:

We have delivered bottles of hand sanitizer to our Caregivers and Clients for over a month now, and we are continuing to procure more.

We continue to supply our Caregivers with gloves, masks and isolation gowns, as needed.

FAQs for Clients

I or a loved one has contracted COVID-19. Can Integracare provide support services during this time?

Yes, absolutely. Integracare is here to support you and your loved ones during this challenging time. Integracare continues doing everything we can to maintain consistency and deliver the highest quality of care possible. Integracare can deliver care for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 Clients while keeping our Caregivers safe and healthy through the use of PPE and good hand hygiene.

How can I or a loved one get groceries while practicing social distancing?

For many, trips to the grocery store are still okay, but should be done with precaution. Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after running any errands and use hand sanitizer while doing groceries. However, for many seniors and people with underlying medical conditions, it is a very smart idea to limit how often you leave your home to run errands.

You can take advantage of many food delivery services for both takeout restaurants and groceries. It is very straightforward to sign up and order all of your necessities with a credit card. Consider services like Grocery Gateway, Instacart, and Loblaws Delivery. Integracare is happy to assist our Clients with ordering groceries.

How can I or a loved one access prescription drugs?

Your prescribed medications can also be delivered. Services like Home MedCare Pharmacy provide bespoke pharmacy delivery services where pharmacists deliver medications themselves and check in with customers, while Instacart also delivers from Shoppers Drug Mart. Rexall also delivers through Rexall Direct.

How can Integracare’s Caregivers help in keeping me safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We are providing our Caregivers with the resources and education they need to keep our Clients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have provided online education modules regarding COVID-19 and we are tracking registration and completion of those modules among our Caregivers.

Caregivers are taking extra steps to clean and disinfect light switches, doorknobs, and hand railings at the residences of our Clients. We are also supplying gloves, gowns, hand sanitizer, and eye protection to our Caregivers as needed.

Caregivers are also taking essential precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19, including:

  • Thorough and frequent hand-washing,
  • Carrying and using hand sanitizer wherever they go,
  • Using medical gloves,
  • Wearing a face mask when required,
  • Not touching their own face or others’.

FAQs for Caregivers

I am a Caregiver working in a home setting or long-term care setting caring for or visiting with Clients/Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. What precautions should I be taking?

The following droplet and contact precautions should be taken:

  • Surgical Masks – N95 Masks are only recommended if the healthcare professional is performing “Aerosol Generating Medical Procedures,” including but not limited to intubations, bronchoscopy, surgery, and autopsies.
    • Integracare has a supply of Surgical Masks available to Caregivers as needed (i.e., if Clients are suspected of having COVID-19).
  • Isolation Gowns
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection

As a Caregiver, what should I do if I come in contact with someone who is suspected to have COVID-19?

Exercise self-isolation and avoid contact with other people for 14 days.

You should monitor your health for fever, cough, and shortness of breath during the 14 days after the last day you were in close contact with the sick person with COVID-19.

FAQs for Clients and Caregivers

What is the best way to slow the spread of COVID-19?

The most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is through:

  • Social distancing
  • Proper hand hygiene (see https://ipac-canada.org/hand-hygiene.php),
  • Using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol,
  • Self-isolation for a period of 14 days from your travel return date or if you are experiencing COVID-19 / flu-like symptoms.

What is COVID-19 and what symptoms are experienced?

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Those who are infected with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu.

Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19 and include:

  • Fever,
  • Cough,
  • Difficulty breathing,
  • Pneumonia in both lungs.

In severe cases, infection can lead to death.

What is the incubation period of COVID-19?

Currently, the available information suggests that the incubation period can last as long as 14 days. The incubation period is the time from when a person is first exposed until symptoms appear.

What does this mean for pets?

The World Health Organization has said there is no evidence that pets can be infected with the coronavirus.

Where can I get tested for COVID-19?

Testing for COVID-19 remains limited in Ontario. If you believe you have some of the symptoms of COVID-19, you can call your primary care provider, call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, or take a self-assessment online. You can only visit an assessment centre if you have been referred by a healthcare professional.

Assessment Centers: https://www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19/covid-19-health-advice/covid-19-assessment-centres/

What should I do if I exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19?

You should monitor your health for fever, cough, and shortness of breath during the 14 days after the last day you were in close contact with the sick person with COVID-19.

Inform your employer immediately and refrain from going to work.

Exercise self-isolation and avoid contact with other people for 14 days.

Please call ahead to your primary care provider’s office or call Telehealth Ontario to assess whether you need testing for COVID-19.

How do I know if I need to self-isolate?

You need to self-isolate yourself for 14 days if:

  • You have travelled outside Canada,
  • You have come in contact with anyone that has or is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19,
  • You are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19.

How should I clean and disinfect my home?

Clean and disinfect common areas once a day.

Each day, clean places and surfaces in the room(s) that you are staying in. Regular cleaning products are fine for this.

Use solutions like bleach and disinfectants to clean areas that are touched often such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

What infection control measures is Integracare taking to ensure its Caregivers and Clients are safe from COVID-19?

Integracare is taking all possible measures to ensure that its Caregivers, Clients, and their families are safe from COVID-19:

  • Screening Caregivers to ensure any Caregiver who has travelled outside Canada or is exhibiting any symptoms is not working with an Integracare Client and is under self-isolation for 14 days.
  • Ensuring that Caregivers have the necessary personal protective equipment to provide safe care for Integracare’s Clients.
  • Ensuring that all Caregivers are aware and educated on COVID-19, including necessary protocols on hand hygiene, self-isolation, etc.

Integracare Continues to Provide the Highest Quality Home Healthcare

We are committed to the health and safety of our Clients and their families, as well as the Caregivers who provide much-needed support even during times of crisis. Integracare Caregivers continue to provide