With the ongoing news coverage around COVID-19 (coronavirus), people are anxious about the spread of the illness and looking to experts to understand how to prevent getting sick and what to do if they do become sick.  Luckily, access to in-home care from Landmark can be a critical tool in your effort to stay healthy this season.   COVID-19 is a virus that spreads from person to person, in much the same way the flu or common cold spreads. As such, experts are recommending avoiding contact with people who are sick.  Having a provider in your home is a great option for ensuring you get the care you need without exposing yourself to additional risk.

But what do you do if you’re not feeling well and need medical care?

You could be nervous that getting care for an unrelated issue will put you at risk for getting COVID-19 due to:

• Using public transportation to get from your home to a medical facility.
• Being near potentially infected people in a waiting room.
• Touching a surface or object with the virus and accidentally touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

If you are eligible for Landmark’s services, you can avoid those concerns because the doctor or provider comes to you.

In-home medical care means you stay home, even to get medical care.

Prevention is the best approach to staying well. Especially for older adults with chronic conditions, the added burden of a virus is something Landmark is designed to help avoid. We provide:

• 24/7 access to a provider via phone to address any of your health questions or concerns.
• In-home medical care to bring treatment to you and thereby limit your exposure to viruses in doctors’ offices, urgent care facilities, hospitals, as well as public areas and transportation.
• In-home behavioral health care and social support to manage fear, worry, anxiety and other feelings related to heightened media about the disease. Landmark’s Chief Behavioral Health Officer – Christopher Dennis, MD – recommends these resources for patients concerned about COVID-19: Coping with stress during an infectious disease outbreak and Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health during an Infectious Disease Outbreak

Call your doctor if you are sick.

Patients who feel ill should call their doctors to discuss symptoms. Landmark patients should call Landmark and can continue to receive in-home care to treat regular conditions and concerns in place, limiting exposure to any respiratory virus, including the common cold, influenza or coronavirus.

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness – cough or shortness of breath – Landmark will help coordinate care, even if we can’t provide an in-home visit due to safety concerns for our providers.

What can I do to prevent getting viruses, including coronavirus?

You can take simple steps to stay healthy and help protect yourself from viruses:

• Landmark patients should call Landmark first for any medical concerns. By receiving care over the phone or in your home, you limit your exposure to external viruses.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This action alone can decrease your chances of getting a virus by 50%.
• Use hand sanitizers if it’s not possible to wash your hands. Be sure to use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for best efficacy.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Touching your face can transfer germs from your hands into your body.
• Avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms. CDC does not recommend masks for people who do not have a virus. If you have symptoms, you should wear a mask to help avoid spreading illness to others.

If you have symptoms of the coronavirus or suspect you have been exposed to someone with coronavirus, contact your Landmark provider.