16/03/2020
| Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. A new (novel) strain of coronavirus is called – ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease and -19 because the disease was first identified in December, 2019. COVID-19 results in a respiratory infection that causes individuals to develop mild to severe symptoms including a cough, fever, and difficulty breathing. Since can cause weakness of respiratory muscles (diaphragm and accessory muscles of respiration), low muscle tone (hypotonia of bulbar muscles), co-existent anatomical abnormalities (scoliosis or rigid spine), and central respiratory system complications (Pffefer & Covitz, 2016), questions and concerns about the impact of COVID-19 are important to discuss.
In response to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak around the world, Canadians are being encouraged by The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to implement measures. PHAC defines social distancing as steps to “minimize close contact” with people in the community (e.g., working remotely from home, maintaining a distance of 2 meters from others). While such recommendations are appropriate for reducing the spread of COVID-19 virus, the recommendations are not feasible for caregivers, personal care attendants and home and community healthcare workers who provide necessary and important support to many adults and children with neuromuscular disorders. To avoid disruptions to care services for individuals with neuromuscular disorders, here are 6 things your caregivers and personal care attendants can do:
1 : Have a sign posted at the entrance of your home for your caregivers and attendants to self-screen and review the precautionary measures they can take while in your home.
2 : Have your caregivers and attendants greet you without touching (e.g., a wave hello).
3 : Have your caregivers and attendants wash their hands for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice) with soap throughout the day.
4 : Have your caregivers and attendants use hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol-based) when they arrive at your home and each time prior to touching or feeding you.
5 : Have your caregivers and attendants clean, sanitize and disinfect the surfaces that are touched in your and use disinfecting wipes on items that are frequently touched (e.g., cell phones, doorknobs, your wheelchair controls, lifting device controls, and remote controls). Make this convenient by having wipes near the items that should be regularly cleaned.
6 : If your caregiver or attendant becomes sick, ask them to seek medical care. In case your caregivers and regular attendants cannot work because either they get sick or they need to take care of a family member who is sick, ensure you have identified a backup caregiver who will be able to provide care.
Taking such steps will be important to protect your health but also your caregivers and personal care attendants. This guidance provides basic information only for caregivers and home care providers who see clients in their home/community setting. As the World Health Organization (WHO) says, in order to protect yourself and others, let’s all (take appropriate steps), (keep informed), and (support one another).
