Syracuse Home Care

GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN! The change of season is the perfect time to reevaluate your loved one’s surroundings. Here are some great safety tips. Falling leaves can be a hazard. Stairs and walkways can become very slippery if they’re not clear of wet leaves.... It’s a great time to check/replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and install brighter light bulbs inside and outside the home. Cooler temperatures mean the need for warmer clothes and a warmer home. While windows should open and close easily, drafty windows and doors should be attended to. It’s cold and flu season! Make sure your loved one has his/her annual flu shot as recommended by the National Institutes of Health. Make sure your loved one stays hydrated; using moisturizer is also a good option during this season and the coming winter months. Socialization (with the right precautions, especially now) is important. A visit from a close friend or family member means a lot. If necessary, hiring a companion is always an option!

Here are a few ways your loved one can stay active while maintaining social distancing. If someone in your life needs assistance with these activities, we can safely provide that. 1. Walking- If the weather is pleasant, a stroll around the neighborhood is a great idea. Even walking in place indoors provides activity. 2. Strength training/exercise- Using light weights while sitting or standing can help build muscle. Even using items around the house, like soup cans, are an opt...ion. 3. Arts and Crafts- Consider coloring, painting or using clay. Great projects for those with limited mobility. 4. Gardening- A great way to spend some time outdoors. Using small pots is also an option for indoor gardening projects.

Syracuse Home Care is happy to announce that we’ve restarted services. In light of this re-opening, we have taken steps to ensure the safest possible transition. We have developed policies based on NYS and CDC guidelines for our caregivers. Before departing to start any shift, employees (until further notice): -are required to take temperature... -must notify Caregiver Supervisor and document in a log -who have a reading above 99.4 degrees Fahrenheit will be called off their shift -who exhibit cough, cold and/or flu-like symptoms must not report for duty Before resuming services, employees will have received training in hand washing. This will extend to new hires. -view video -demonstration as alternative -provide hand sanitizer Employees are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) until further notice -face mask -receive training in how to don & doff mask appropriately through video (demonstration as alternative) -be provided 2 masks for each employee -instruction in caring for mask through video (demonstration as alternative) -provide plastic bags for storing Educate on keeping surfaces clean and disinfected through video (verbally as alternative) -counter tops, door knobs -personal vehicle (steering wheel, shift levers/knobs, controls such as radio, wiper, etc.) Thank you for your patience and understanding over the past few months and for placing your trust in Syracuse Home Care. We look forward to continuing to serve your home care needs. Don Reeve, RN President, Syracuse Home Care

In light of the unprecedented and unrelenting assault on our healthcare system, economy and society in general by the current COVID-19 outbreak, along with the precautions and restrictions required, Syracuse Home Care first of all wants to express that we take your safety seriously. We understand that current efforts to deal with this outbreak cause hardship and stress on everyone, perhaps impact our clients more dramatically. While our services are currently on hold in com...pliance with Matilda’s Law, some services remain available within the community. To that end if you or your family require services, please refer to the Onondaga County Resource Center website www.ongov.net/ltc/resource-guides.html where you will find specific resource guides. You can also check the NY Connects website at: https://www.nyconnects.ny.gov/home for further resources. We urge everyone to continue to practice CDC hygiene guidelines along with social distancing to help stem this outbreak. In the event that you are experiencing symptoms, please call your medical provider for further action to take. If your are experiencing a true medical emergency, call 911 immediately. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a message for Elaine Maye, Supervisor at 315-430-7481. The phone will continue to be monitored but response time may be prolonged. Syracuse Home Care hopes the best for you, your loved ones and your family. Don Reeve, RN President, Syracuse Home Care

Temporary Suspension of Services In light of the recent unrelenting spread of the COVID-19 virus and the need to limit contact with others in order to help stem the spread, Syracuse Home Care has decided to temporarily suspend services to our clients. This is also in keeping with the recent Executive Order (New York State on Pause) from Gov. Cuomo halting all non-essential business state-wide effective Sunday March 22, 2020 at 8:00 pm. Syracuse Home Care makes this decision... reluctantly and not without due consideration as we know that many individuals rely on services from this agency. This decision is made with the best interests of both our clients, our employees and others in the community in mind. It is imperative that the spread of this virus be contained as quickly as possible. It is with this in mind that we have come to this difficult decision. With that in mind, the Board of Directors wants to assure you that you can still contact the agency. If you require any assistance such as obtaining food, we will be glad to assist with such requests. If you have any medical emergency (such as falling, shortness of breath, bleeding that will not stop or other emergency) call 911 immediately. Syracuse Home Care will continue to monitor this ongoing and unprecedented situation. We will return to active service as soon as we are permitted to do so. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Again, please do not hesitate to contact us at (315) 396-5954 with any questions or if you need assistance. Don Reeve, RN President, Syracuse Home Care

Our caregivers are using best practices issued by the CDC to keep your loved ones safe during the current outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID19). Please make sure you are doing the same. Visit cdc.gov for more information. Stay well!

Are you anxious about your aging parent(s) being home alone at night? We can help ease your worries...Syracuse Home Care is available around the clock.

Are you caring for a loved one who is at risk for falls? If nighttime is a concern, we can provide non-medical care for your loved one in the comfort of their own home. In the meantime, here is some great information about fall prevention! https://www.caregiving.org//2/11/FallsPrevention_FINAL.pdf

The holiday season is in full swing. It’s the time of year for celebrations with family and friends... But for many, especially the elderly, it can be a difficult time. Follow the link to see how you can help make the holiday season brighter for the seniors in your life! https://www.ncoa.org//how-to-fight-loneliness-seniors-thi/