You are a Hero!

Thank you for what you do.

Our clients depend on you to provide the essential care they need to live at home. The work you do limits exposure by keeping clients out of hospitals and long term care facilities. At the same time we have to take the responsibility very seriously and do everything we can to be prepared. Below is a list of resources and guidance.  

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Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19

 Texas has recently issued a mandate requiring the use of a mask that covers your nose and mouth when it is difficult to practice social distancing in a public place. Coverings may be masks, scarfs, bandannas or a handkerchief. We are requiring that you follow the recommended practice when working with your client. If you can not practice social distancing while in the home you should wear a mask.

We have masks and face shield available for you in the office. If you do not have a mask please contact the office and make arrangements to get one as soon as possible.

Texas Health and Human Services

Recommended Practices while in the Home.

• Model proper hygiene practices for clients and caregivers, such as proper handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and the use of hand sanitizer.
• Practice social distancing. Social distancing is deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness and staying at least 6 feet away from other people. Current guidance states to stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
• Continue your practice of using gloves when supporting clients.
• Regularly disinfect all high-touch surfaces, such as counters, doorknobs, telephones, computer keyboards, and any other household electronic or communication devices.
• If the client or household members have no fever or concerning symptoms (such as a cough or shortness of breath), proceed with the scheduled service under standard operating procedures.
• If the client or household members have a fever or concerning symptoms, such as a cough or shortness of breath, adhere to the following:
  • • Notify your employer, or the person you talk to about your shifts, and follow reporting procedures for your local area. If needed, assist the client when calling their health care provider.

 

Caregiver Reviews

These courses are designed to offer a computer based training (CBT) to satisfy the 24 hour in-service education requirement, which is part of the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) renewal process (TAC; Title 40; Part 1; Chapter 94; Rule §94.9). “Effective September 1, 2013, a nurse aide renewing a certification must complete at least 24 hours of in-service education every two years that includes training in geriatrics and the care of residents with a dementia disorder, including Alzheimer’s disease.” CNAs may complete these courses in order to renew a listing of active status on the Nurse Aide Registry (NAR).

• These courses are only one of many approved course options (requirements can be fulfilled through a nursing facility or an approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program).
• Each course satisfies 2 hours toward the 2 year requirement of 24 hours.
• CNAs get 2 hours of credit for each course, as long as they score a minimum of 70% and have a copy of the learning certificate.
• This is a new series of approved courses.
• You may take the 12 hours in consecutive years to satisfy the 2 year, 24 hour in-service education requirement.

To document successful course completion, caregivers / CNAs must print a copy of the course certificate available at the end of the training and keep the certificate for documentation purposes.