Covid-19 Resources

Prevention of the Coronavirus

 

  • Practice social distancing (staying 6 feet away from others), avoid large groups, and stay home when possible. If you do stay home, it is important to know you are not alone and can access services or connect with your local SCI organization via phone, online or by other means.
  • Call your doctor before you visit to let them know if you are unwell and have other health concerns.
  • Wash your hands regularly with warm soap and water for 20-30 seconds.
  • Clean all surfaces regularly that you touch every day including your phone, joystick and wheelchair armrests, tray, push rims…
  • Prepare you emergency kit
  • Keep 30 days of medical supplies (catheters and dressing supplies) and medication on hand
  • Disposable gloves are in high demand; ensure you have a 30 day daily supply
  • Inquire about home delivery options with pharmacies and medical supply vendors

Sanitizing your Home

  • Ensure that you are wiping down high use surfaces in your home every day
  • Separate indoor clothes and outdoor clothes and launder outdoor clothes every day
  • Ensure handwashing regularly by all members of the home
  • Mop floors twice per week

 

The Buddy System

  • Engage neighbours, family and friends to create a daily virtual check-in
  • Ensure someone is available to get you urgent things
  • Keep your health care providers informed on how you are doing and anticipate things that you will require from them

 

Assistive Device Supports

  • Call your vendor.  Learn their emergency procedures
  • Do a maintenance audit on your assistive devices
  • Find out in case of an emergency, how fast can your vendor visit you and have a plan in place

 

A Reliable Delivery System

  • Determine your plan for groceries, medical supplies, and prescriptions to be delivered in advance
  • Share delivery costs with your neighbours and friends
  • If you need to go out, take a friend but seek delivery options first

 

Attendant Services Issues

 

  • Ensure attendants have not travelled to an affected area or outside of Canada in the last 14 days.
  • Send attendants home who are not well.
  • Ask attendants to wash their hands when they arrive and before they provide any assistance.
  • Be sure your attendants and you wash your hands after all assistance.
  • Have a back-up plan if your attendant does not come to work or is sick.

 

If You Are Sick, or Think You Might Have COVID-19

 

  • Isolate yourself at home if you develop respiratory symptoms
  • Call your local public health authority for advice
  • Read this article from the Globe and Mail for information on symptoms: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-i-think-i-may-have-the-new-coronavirus-what-should-i-do/
  • Speak to your health care provider or respiratory therapist regarding what precautions you, your family and attendants should take in your home
  • Clean your equipment and replace filters regularly as per your device manual
  • Ensure you have an adequate supply of filters and tubing

 

Stay Informed

 

  • Check the advice from your local provincial health authority every 24-48 hours.