August 2020 | Page 45

Coronavirus Concerns ... (Continued from page 44) Vicki Hoak, executive director of the Home Care Association of America, said the coronavirus pandemic has “absolutely changed the face of home care” and “upended everything about our daily operations.” “I think it’s caused us all to think about our mission, the way we deliver the care, the way we communicate and how we’re regarded by other partners in the health care communities,” she said. “My hope is that absolutely more light has been shed on this valuable workforce.” Home care employees are also critical front-line workers in the fight against coronavirus, Hoak said, and face similar issues hospitals face, such as the initial lack of life-saving personal protective equipment. Such equipment is essential to protect patients the home care workers serve every day and to protect themselves, she said. “We deliver care in people’s private homes. We’re kind of like the invisible care provider,” she said. “We see any change of condition and we can monitor and we can keep people safe.” Jarrín said one recent positive change to home care is allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to order home health care services for Medicare patients through the CARES Act. “Some of the restrictions on practices have been really opened and are going to benefit patients and the home health care teams that have been working against these limitations,” she said. (See Coronavirus Concerns on page 46) leadingageny.org 45