Covid-19 Updates

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Client Safety Precautions

At Help in the Home, the safety of our clients is our number one priority. At a minimum we are reassessing daily what precautions need to be put into place to keep our community safe. The following guidelines have been put in place until further notice.

While our Supported Living Community is not a Long- Term Care Facility or Group Home, our protocol will continue to be holding the community to the most vulnerable person.


We are encouraging the following ways of prevention to our clients both in the SLC and ISS:

Self- Care

  • Plenty of Rest
  • Water
  • Good Nutrition — Lemon water, Green Smoothies 🙂
  • Fresh air and exercise — Walks are great 🙂

Hygiene

  • Hand washing 
  • Coughing / Sneezing into tissue — Discard tissue and wash hands
  • Disinfect frequently touched areas at least twice daily (Doorknobs, Handrails, Shared Phones ) 
  • Wear a mask when out in public

Staff to wear a mask at all times.

ALL CLIENTS RECEIVING IN PERSON SUPPORT MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED

People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) or ≥2 weeks after they have received the single dose (Johnson & Johnson). PLUS The booster (5 months after the 2nd dose of Pfizer, 6 months after the 2nd dose of Moderna, and 2 months after the single dose of Johnson & Johnson).  

Supported Living Community:

On-site COVID testing:

All members of the supported living community (both clients and staff) will have a rapid COVID test performed on Mondays and Thursdays.  Once transmission rates in Montgomery County are out of the high transmission range for one week, we will move to once a week testing (Mondays only).  A client can request an additional test on Thursday if they would like to.  

General Supported Living Community Clients:

Outings: 

When going out in public, clients and staff need to wear a mask, since we are not sure who is vaccinated.   When outings are with anyone other than staff, we are asking that friends/family members take a COVID test before the in-person visit.  We can supply the rapid test and it can be taken in the car before you come in to see your loved ones.  Once we have the negative result, the visit can take place.  

Visits outside of the Supported Living Community (approval required):

  • Written approval is required 72 hours before the outing.  The request will go to Stacy and she will run the risk assessment for the outing.
  • Clients may visit their families/friends in their homes or in outdoor spaces in the community now, such as local parks.   We ask that the family member or friend will come pick up the client so that we can do a rapid test.  We also ask that if there will be people there who have not COVID tested, that masks are worn other than when eating.
  • Clients can now go to the grocery store with staff.
  • Clients can do outdoor activities like tennis and golf.
  • Clients can go to indoor faith services or other community activities if we are able to confirm that all people attending are vaccinated and masks will be required.  
  • Clients can go to outdoor faith services or other community activities if they are able to wear a mask and maintain social distance.  
  • Eating or drinking together can happen on a case by case basis with supervisor permission.  This will need to be outdoors, and social distanced.

Transportation: 

We are asking that friends/family members take a COVID test before the in-person visit.  We can supply the rapid test and it can be taken in the car before you come in to see your loved ones.  Once we have the negative result, the visit can take place. 

  • Clients may now take Uber/Lyft/Taxi to go to important appointments, when needed. If using this method of transport, clients must be able to have the window open and a mask on. 
  • Bus and Metro use are an option during non-rush hour times and with staff support. 
  • Clients may also choose to travel in a vehicle with loved ones, given proof that individuals traveling together are fully vaccinated. Family/friends would need to take a COVID test before picking up a client.  Clients are not able to travel with family/loved ones who are NOT vaccinated. 

Family Visits at the SLC: Allowed only when client and family member is fully vaccinated

Drop-in unscheduled visits are still NOT allowed at this time.  

We are asking that friends/family members take a COVID test before the in-person visit.  We can supply the rapid test and it can be taken in the car before you come in to see your loved ones.  Once we have the negative result, the visit can take place.  

At the Supported Living Community (pre-scheduled): 

  • We will continue to have family visits scheduled ahead of time through Sign-Up Genius https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c44afab2ca7f8c61-family  
  • Visits should be scheduled a minimum of 72 hours in advance so that we can take care of the administrative pieces and provide approval for the visit. 
  • An email with official approval will be sent to you within 48 hrs of the visit.
  • Family members/loved ones who are vaccinated can send us a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination cards to have on file for visits.  The cards need to be received in advance.  Cards should be emailed to Lindsay at lindsay.young@helpinthehomellc.com.
  • Visits can be outdoors or indoors.    

Transition house clients:

  • Same testing and vaccination requirements as general SLC clients.
  • Transition houses serve as separate houses for clients who wish to obtain employment or volunteer work that is not remote. These houses will be considered higher risk, since clients will be increasing their potential level of exposure to COVID-19 by going out into the community.   Clients in this house are able to go to work, visit families and/or to grocery stores.
  • We are still asking that they follow the guidelines of being able to do two out of three when possible: Outdoors, social distancing and/or all parties masking.
  • Transition house clients are able to come over to the main house during this phase of opening while wearing a mask. They are not to eat with others as this would require removing the mask.
  • In-person care coordination should have both client and staff member wearing KN95 masks as well as social distancing when indoors.  Outdoor visits when possible are preferred.

Individual Support Service Clients:

  • In person visits require masks indoors and for clients to be fully vaccinated.
  • We are trying to maintain distance when possible as well as meet outdoors when possible.

PPE is provided by Help in the Home- please contact the Administrative Assistant in order to make sure you have adequate PPE for your appointments (and remember to leave time for supplies to be mailed to you if needed).

We continue to monitor the status of cases in Montgomery County and will maintain following health and safety policies that reflect current medical and governmental guidance.

If you have any questions or concerns about our plan, feel free to reach out to Stacy and Rayetta at (866)-967-9994.