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Home Health Care Worker Safety Checklist

It's Good To Be Home Inc Private Elder Care

As home health care continues to increase, more healthcare professionals such as nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, aides, speech therapists, and social workers are employed in this industry. While there are benefits of home health care for the professionals (in terms of income and opportunities) and the patients, there are risks to the safety and health of these workers. This is because the health care workers do not have much control over their workplace environments because it is the patients’ homes. That said, while they may be exposed to a number of risks, they can be avoided by taking proper measures. Here’s a home health care worker safety checklist to ensure you stay safe on the job.

Set Up a Remote Check-Up System

If a home health care patient does not require care and support at all times of the day, it can be beneficial to set up a remote check-up system with patients to monitor their health. Home health care workers can provide patients with wearable technology that can monitor patients’ respiratory and cardiac functions with ease. Furthermore, setting up remote cameras can allow the home health care professional to monitor patients visually without needing to physically visit their homes. As a result, the chances of contracting infections and other diseases can be reduced significantly. Physical check-ups can be reduced to a need-basis only.

Learning Proper Technique When Handling Patients

Home health care workers that are required to physically carry and transfer patients must know the proper technique to do so to prevent injury to themselves. Strains, sprains, and different types of musculoskeletal injuries are common among home health care workers. Use any assertive device or transfer system the patient may have for lifting and transporting. Moreover, you can also consult your agency to provide a buddy system for this process.

Prepare Yourself for Potential Violence on the Job

The unfamiliar and unregulated working environments for home health care workers can make them susceptible to workplace violence, such as assault, verbal abuse, or stalking. It is important to prepare yourself for such violence so that you can prevent it effectively. Here’s what to include in this aspect of your home health care worker safety checklist.

Prepare Yourself for Potentially Dangerous Pet Dogs

There’s a good chance that some of the home health care workers’ patients will have pet dogs in their homes. Dogs can be friendly creatures, but some can be protective of their owners and potentially dangerous as a result. Thus, the home health care worker safety checklist must help you look out for the following warning signs from dogs.
Have the patient remove the dog from the working area if it displays any of the aforementioned behaviors. Attacks from pets can be dangerous to your safety, health, and well-being.

Wear Protective Clothing

One of the most effective ways home health care workers can keep themselves safe is by wearing appropriate protective clothing. You should wear disposable non-latex gloves every time you visit a patient. Non-latex can help prevent latex allergies. Also, it’s best to use hand sanitizer to keep yourself clear from potential infections and other biological hazards.

You should also wear disposable overalls whenever you go to work. In many cases, patients’ homes can be unsanitary, and disposable wear will ensure you don’t carry any biological hazards back home with you. In addition to wearing protective clothing, you should carry clean pads that have clean plastic on one of the sides. You should place all of your equipment on top of that plastic side to keep it from making contact with the surface of the patient’s home.

Last Few Words

Having a home health care worker safety checklist is necessary to keep yourself from getting sick or injured on the job. Moreover, it’s essential that home health care aides come up with coping strategies for dealing with the stress expected on the job. It will help keep you healthy in the long term.

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Colette Riley

Colette Riley

Creating a team that offers unparalleled Private Care, providing you with Peace of Mind, and comfort for loved ones. We are passionate about the care that we provide.

Colette Riley

Colette Riley

I am an accomplished and result-driven Home Healthcare Professional with a track record of meeting and exceeding expectations related to client care. In 1996, at twenty nine years of age, I found my calling in a field that I love dearly.

Testimonials
Donna Nelson
Donna Nelson
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I can't say enough great thoughts about their home care service. My mother was very sick and Its Good To Be Home Health Care provided the best private care we could of asked for. All the caregivers became family in the 3 months they were in our home. We've had other home healthcare companies before, but this home care agency is by far the best. Would recommend them to everyone looking for home care in Massachusetts. Thank you Colette!
Sharon Baker
Sharon Baker
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Thank you to everyone at It's Good To Be Home for the amazing private care services we received. Colette and the wonderful caregivers helped my father stay at home and in good spirits while living being home. The care became more challenging as the illness progressed and dad's physical needs grew. The house looked great all the time and the care was invaluable. You were a huge help to us, just knowing he was in good hands seeing we live out of state, I highly recommended their private home care services if you live in Massachusetts.
Roy Lamphear
Roy Lamphear
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It's Good To Be Home INC. is an exceptional home care agency near me. They go above and beyond to execute the best care for their clients and has excellent customer service too. Very reliable home health care agency that truly owns up to their name.

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Home Health Care in Massachusetts

Don't hesitate to contact us today!

781-824- HOME(4663)

You can reach us 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Stay connected