In-Home Recovery Help Following a COVID-19 Diagnosis

Home care recovery following a COVID-19 diagnosis is preferred by most individuals.

In the event that you or someone you love tested positive for COVID-19, you understand how serious it is and how recovery can be a long road.

The good news is that Hired Hands Homecare offers compassionate in-home recovery care services to help aid in the healing process after a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. With continual adherence to CDC guidelines, including proper hand washing, sanitizing and disinfecting, and wearing personal protective equipment, our expertly-trained caregivers can help by allowing you time to focus on gaining strength, resting, and taking other steps necessary to make a full and complete recovery.

During recover, be sure to keep in mind the following:

• First and foremost, know when you should seek emergency medical care. Some of the symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention are:

• Relentless pain and/or pressure in the chest
• Difficulty breathing
• New confusion or disorientation
• The inability to wake up or remain awake
• A bluish tint to the face or lips

Call 911 or the nearest E/R and tell the operator that the care needed is for someone with COVID-19.

• Gather necessary supplies. For mild symptoms, it’s important to have the following supplies on hand:

• A thermometer
• A pulse oximeter to check on oxygen levels
• Pedialyte or other rehydration fluids
• A humidifier
• OTC pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
• A variety of healthy food choices

• Inquire about prescription options. The doctor may want to prescribe medication for more severe symptoms, such as a persistent cough or nausea. Do not wait until symptoms become severe, but speak with the doctor as soon as the need arises.

• Maximize breathing. There are several approaches to ease breathing which can help alleviate chest tightness and coughing:
  • • Avoid dry air; use a humidifier, or run a hot shower and breathe in the steam.
    • Try lying on your stomach rather than your back or side.
    • Use an inhaler if recommended by your healthcare provider.
    • Implement breathing exercises, such as:
      • Breathe in deeply and hold for a count of five, and then breathe out. Repeat five times, and on the sixth time after exhaling, cough hard. Cycling through this exercise twice, followed by lying on your stomach and taking slightly deeper breaths for ten minutes, several times each day, can help.

• Pay attention to your mental health. The strain, fear, and anxiety of a COVID-19 diagnosis can wreak havoc on your emotional health, and if left unattended, it can cause anxiety attacks, depression, along with other serious health issues. Seek professional counseling services to work through your feelings, and also incorporate any of the following activities:
  • • Prayer/meditation
    • Listening to soothing music
    • Journaling
    • Reading
    • Talking with trusted friends and family
    • Watching uplifting movies or television shows

• Know that recovery is not a linear process. Dealing with COVID-19 may feel like two steps forward and one step back in some instances. It’s not uncommon for symptoms to start to subside and then suddenly reappear, for a fever to come and go, or even for the effects of the virus to linger for weeks, and sometimes even months.

Partnering with a professional home care agency like Hired Hands Homecare can provide peace of mind and make a difference when you are cleared for in-home recovery help after COVID-19. We can assist with:

• • Planning and preparing nutritious meals and ensuring sufficient hydration
  • Maintaining a clean and sanitized home environment
• Companionship to ease loneliness and isolation, which helps keep spirits up
  • Running errands, such as picking up groceries and prescriptions
  • Providing medication reminders
  • Assisting with personal care needs, such as taking a shower or bath, getting dressed, etc.
  • And so much more

For additional details on the benefits of in-home care recovery following a COVID-19 diagnosis, contact Hired Hands Homecare today at (866) 940-4343 to find out more about our top-rated Sonoma home care services. For information on each of the communities we serve, please visit our Service Area page.