At IKOR of Charlottesville, our clients’ well-being is not just a priority, it’s our founding and guiding principle. During this time of heightened awareness and concern regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to share with you the extra precautions we’re talking among ourselves and with our clients.
New Procedures for IKOR Staff Members:
- Travel & Large Gatherings – The CDC and public health officials are advising against non-essential travel and recommending everyone avoid large gatherings. We are taking these warnings seriously. Employees must report travel and large events that they have attended to the Managing Director so that their risk of exposure can be assessed, and appropriate action can be taken to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
- Personal Care – We are fortunate to have experienced nurses on our team. Our RN Advocates have reviewed preventative health measures with IKOR staff members. These preventative measures include refreshers on proper handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting, and staying home if an individual is feeling sick. As owner, I have taken special care to make sure my team understands that staying home due to illness will in no way jeopardize their employment.
- Personal Contact – Our employees will no longer shake hands with or embrace clients, vendors, and others we come in contact with during our day. When practically possible, we will follow the CDC social-distancing recommendation of maintaining six feet of distance between individuals.
Conducting Business and Serving Our Clients:
- Caring for you is our top priority. Our RN Advocates will continue to attend important doctors’ appointments, and most client hospitalizations.
- We will be pausing all non-essential client visits for both clients living at home and in senior communities. This policy will be evaluated regularly, and non-essential home visits will resume once it has been deemed safe.
- For clients that are concerned about their prescription medications being refilled, please contact Kathy Allerton, IKOR Case Coordinator. She will work with your RN Advocate to develop a plan.
- We are in contact with other service providers, including homecare agencies and senior communities, to discuss their plans to address potential caregiver shortages. Currently, we are not seeing such shortages impact our clients and will be monitoring this subject on an ongoing basis.
Keeping Yourself Safe and Minimizing Your Exposure:
- Follow proper hand-washing techniques.
- Try to maintain a social space of six feet between you and other people.
- Call ahead before visiting a senior community as many are now limiting visitors.
- This situation is unprecedented and evolving quickly. Please seek information only from the most reliable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Even as this situation forces us to cut back on in-person client contacts, all of us at IKOR remain deeply committed to the health of each and every one of our clients and families. Should you have anything you would like to discuss or need extra help or reassurance, please contact IKOR’s Case Coordinator, Kathy Allerton by sending a message or calling 434.202.8887.