In addition to following the CDC’s recommended guidelines for social distancing and good hygiene, there are some other safety precautions for care partners in order to protect yourself and the people you are caring for from COVID-19: Assist with basic needs One of the best ways to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to provide support and meet the basic needs of the person you’re caring for during this time. To limit exposure, keep the house stocked with plenty of kidney-friendly food and medical supplies—antibacterial pump soap, hand sanitizer, prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, and face masks. If appropriate, take care of their household chores and pets as well. Watch out for symptoms As a care partner, make sure you have doctor and care team phone numbers readily available, especially if the person you’re caring for begins to show symptoms of COVID-19. If you’re unsure of someone’s condition, contact their care team to get additional information about how to proceed. Do not go to the center unless instructed to do so by a care team member in order to limit unnecessary exposure to the virus. Limit your contact, when you can If you or the person you’re caring for are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, limit your contact to ensure your safety and theirs. Use separate bedrooms and bathrooms when you can, and when you are in a shared space, keep air flowing to eliminate respiratory droplets. Have the proper safety gear to limit exposure Care partners should wear gloves when coming in contact with someone’s skin, blood, stool, or any other fluids. When you are finished, immediately dispose of your gloves and wash your hands. A face covering may also help prevent the sharing of respiratory germs and can be worn by both the care partner and the person receiving care. Clean and disinfectIn addition to practicing good personal hygiene, care partners can also ensure objects and surfaces around the house are cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. Use gloves and protective gear when handling dirty laundry or trash. At Fresenius Kidney Care, we are committed to providing safe and supportive treatment to every person who receives care. Our team is implementing additional safety precautions to ensure your health and wellbeing during this pandemic.