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As the colder months are fast approaching, we all face increased challenges in preventing the spread of infections like respiratory illnesses, Influenza and COVID-19. Many of our clients are more vulnerable due to age or health conditions, and carers work tirelessly to keep them safe and well. At Angel Carers, our mission is to keep clients safe and well in their own homes through compassionate, high-quality care.

Now is the time to ensure that infection prevention and control (IPC) is embedded into every visit and every care plan. Below are the core precautions every carer and client should follow this winter.

💉 Vaccination: Protecting Yourself and Those You Care For

Flu is not “just a bad cold.” It’s highly infectious, and symptoms can develop quickly. They are among the best tools we have to reduce illness, complications, and hospitalisations.

• Encourage all carers to take seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Help clients access vaccination appointments or information where needed.
• Highlight to clients’ families the importance of staying up to date with vaccines.

🧼 Everyday Infection Prevention in Home Care

Simple steps make a big difference when supporting clients in their own homes.

🖐 Hand Hygiene

• Use the 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene:
  • Before touching a client
  • Before a clean/aseptic procedure
  • After exposure to body fluids
  • After touching a client
  • After touching the client’s surroundings
• Use alcohol-based hand gel where appropriate – but note it doesn’t work against Norovirus or C. difficile.
• Always wash with soap and water after personal care or when hands are visibly soiled.

🤧 Respiratory Hygiene

• Clients, carers, and visitors should cover coughs/sneezes with tissues, then dispose of them immediately.
• Wash your hands after handling tissues or contaminated surfaces.
• Carers with cold or respiratory symptoms should wear a face mask (if safe) when providing care, and ensure as much ventilation as possible.

🧤 PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

• Use the correct PPE based on the task: gloves, aprons, masks, and face shields.
• Ensure hand hygiene before donning and after doffing PPE.
• Dispose of PPE safely – following agency protocols and household waste guidance.

🧽 Environmental Cleanliness

• Regularly clean high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, light switches, mobility aids, tables, and remote controls.
• Use approved disinfectants where appropriate.
• Keep clutter to a minimum – it simplifies cleaning and reduces cross-contamination risk.

🧰 Safe Equipment Management

• Clean shared care equipment (e.g. hoists, walking frames, blood pressure cuffs) between uses.
• Wherever feasible, assign equipment to individual clients to reduce cross-use.

🧺 Laundry Handling

• Do not shake soiled linen.
• Bag contaminated laundry in a plastic or washable bag for transport.
• Wash separately at the highest temperature appropriate for the fabric.

🌬 Ventilation

• Promote fresh air flow by opening windows/doors when safe and weather permits.
• Good airflow helps reduce airborne virus transmission (e.g. influenza, COVID-19).

💧 Hydration: A Simple But Powerful Tool

Hydration is essential, especially for older clients. It helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), confusion, and falls.

• Encourage 6–8 glasses of fluid daily (or adapt to each client’s needs).
• Offer drinks that clients enjoy (water, tea, juice, broth).
• Keep drinks accessible throughout the home and during visits.

How This Fits with Angel Carers’ Services

At Angel Carers, our services include domiciliary care, live-in care, respite, prevention of hospital admission, post-discharge care, and more.

• Use these infection prevention principles across all service types.
• Incorporate IPC into care plans, staff training, and quality checks.
• Communicate with clients and families about the steps you’re taking to ensure safe care.
• Leverage Angel Carers’ reputation: position your commitment to IPC as part of your brand differentiator (clients want care that is safe as well as compassionate).

How Angel Carers Can Help

At Angel Carers, we’re proud to provide compassionate, professional home care that helps people live safely and comfortably at home all year round. From daily visits to live-in care, our experienced carers are trained in infection prevention and dedicated to supporting your wellbeing.

If you or a loved one would like to find out more about staying safe and well this winter, we’re here to help.

📞 01305 257777
📧 contact@angelcarers.com
🌐 www.angelcarers.com

Let us help you and your loved ones stay safe, comfortable, and cared for this winter.