Coronavirus Action Steps for the Disabled
What are you supposed to do if your caregivers stop showing up to work or if your homecare services provider is short staffed? One of the most helpful resources with Coronavirus recommendations for the disabled is this “Action Steps for Attendant Service Users Guide” published by The New York-based Center for Disability Rights.
A few tips from the Centers for Disability Rights for Caregiver Service Users
- Ensure you have sufficient backup caregivers in case your regular caregiver cannot work due to furloughs or illness or if they are not able to reach you for any reason. You will still need assistance, so make sure you have someone who can provide it.
- Have at least a week of non-perishable food in your home at any given time (if possible have two weeks’ supply) and identify people who can assist with shopping. If this is not financially feasible, you may need to seek out assistance from local organizations or food banks.
- Stock up on other important supplies. There may be shortages of other supplies like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and such. You don’t need to hoard these, but plan to keep a supply in your home.
- Identify a way to make sure you can get your medications in a timely manner. This may mean having friends or family assist you or using a pharmacy that offers prescription delivery.
- Use disinfecting wipes on items that are frequently touched. For instance, your telephone, doorknobs, your refrigerator handle, your wheelchair controls, lifting device controls and remote controls. Make this convenient by having wipes near the items that should be regularly cleaned.
Create a Household Plan of Action
One extremely helpful resource we have come across is this Get Your Home Ready guide, published by The CDC. Below are a few tips from the CDC for your Household Plan
- Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan. Meet with household members, other relatives, and friends to discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community and what the needs of each person will be.
- Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications. There is limited information about who may be at risk for severe complications from COVID-19 illness. From the data that are available for COVID-19 patients, and from data for related coronaviruses such as SARS and MERS, it is possible that older adults and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions may be at risk for more serious complications.
- Get to know your neighbors. Talk with your neighbors about emergency planning. Moreover, if your neighborhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbors, information, and resources.
- Identify aid organizations in your community. Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, health care services, support, and resources. In addition, consider including organizations that provide mental health or counseling services, food, and other supplies.
- Create an emergency contact list. Ensure your household has a current list of emergency contacts for family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
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