What Should Families Do If a Home Caregiver Tests Positive for COVID-19?
A positive COVID-19 test result for a home caregiver can be alarming, but knowing the right steps can help protect your senior loved one and ensure continuity of care. It’s important to respond quickly, communicate openly with your home care agency, and follow all health guidelines. Here’s what families should do if their caregiver tests positive for COVID-19.
Immediate Actions to Take
- Isolate the Caregiver: The caregiver should stop working with your loved one immediately and follow CDC isolation protocols. They should not return to the home until cleared by their healthcare provider or public health authorities.
- Notify the Agency: Inform the home care agency right away so they can activate their COVID-19 response plan, arrange backup care, and begin contact tracing.
- Assess Senior Exposure: Consider how much close contact your loved one had with the caregiver and note any shared spaces or items.
Monitoring and Testing
- Monitor for Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your senior for any COVID-19 symptoms—such as fever, cough, fatigue, or loss of taste and smell—for at least 14 days.
- Testing: Arrange for your loved one to get a COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test, especially if they are high-risk or have symptoms. Many home care agencies can help coordinate in-home or drive-through testing (see our COVID-19 PCR Diagnostic Testing page for details).
Cleaning and Disinfection
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect all surfaces, bedding, and items the caregiver may have touched in the home.
Ongoing Care Arrangements
- Backup Care: Your agency should have policies in place to provide a replacement caregiver—ideally one who is vaccinated and not recently exposed.
- Ask about the backup caregiver’s COVID-19 screening, PPE use, and whether additional safety measures will be implemented for your household.
Communication With the Agency
- Request updates on the status of your original caregiver, agency-wide outbreaks, and any policy changes based on local public health guidance.
Protecting Vulnerable Seniors
- Limit unnecessary visitors and outings for your loved one during the exposure window.
- Use telehealth for medical appointments when possible.
Support for Caregivers and Families
- Ask your agency about emotional support, mental health resources, and ways to reduce anxiety for your senior during this period of disruption.
Prevention for the Future
- Review and update your home’s COVID-19 protocols as needed—mask use, hand hygiene, and screening procedures.
- Stay informed about vaccine boosters and agency testing policies.
For more resources and guidance, visit our COVID-19 PCR Diagnostic Testing resource page.
