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)
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