Helpful New Jersey Hospice Advice for COVID-19

About coronavirus and things you might be worried about:

You might be concerned about things like what might happen to someone living with a terminal illness if they get coronavirus. You may be thinking about whether any services they access, like help at home or nursing care, will continue. And you may be worried about visiting someone in case you increase their risk of infection. If you’re providing care for a family member or friend, you may be thinking about what will happen to their care if you become ill.

These are all normal things to worry about. It can be hard to think about these things with everything else you might have going on. It can help to talk through your concerns and get some support. There might be family and friends you can speak to. You can also contact a nurse or trained staff member.

Do I need to do anything differently because I have a terminal illness, or my family member or friend does?

Some people living with a terminal illness may be at higher risk of experiencing more serious complications from coronavirus. You can:

• Take extra care to follow guidance on avoiding, catching, or spreading coronavirus. This now includes reducing your contact with other people.
• If someone needs to visit (for example, to help with your personal care), ask them to follow the NJ Department of Health advice. This includes washing their hands when they arrive.
• Check if you can have visitors if you’re staying in a care home, hospice or hospital. Ask your healthcare team or look on the organization or service’s website.
• NJ Department of Health information: a plan in case your family and friends can’t visit you. Think about who will help with your day-to-day care as well as how you can stay in touch with people. Guidance from the UK has more information about getting food and medicines and looking after your mental well-being.
• Listen for further advice on what to do. The government will soon announce more plans to protect the people who are most at risk of serious complications from corona virus. This is likely to include some people living with a terminal illness.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, follow the NJ Department of Health on what you should do.

How can I avoid catching or spreading coronavirus?

Everyone should follow official guidance on how to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus. This now includes reducing your contact with other people.

You should:

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds.
• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work.
• Use hand sanitizer gel if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards.
• Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
• Do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family.
• Only travel on public transport if you need.
• Work from home, if you can.
• Avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theaters and cinemas.
• Avoid events with large groups of people.
• Use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP

It is particularly important to follow this advice carefully if you:

• are 70 or over, or
• have a long-term condition, or
• are pregnant, or
• have a weakened immune system.

You can find a list of conditions that put people at particular risk of developing serious complications from coronavirus on the NJ Department of Health Website.

The government will soon announce more plans to protect the people who are most at risk of serious complications from coronavirus. This is likely to include some people living with a terminal illness.

What should I do if I have coronavirus symptoms?

The NJ Department of Health advises that you stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms, either:

• a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back, or
• a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly.

You should follow appropriate direction about how long you need to stay at home for and what you need to do. This includes information about who to contact if your condition gets worse.

If you live with other people, they also need to stay at home and follow NJ Department of Health advice.

If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, the NJ Department of Health advises that you try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days. If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.

At Life Source Services Hospice our professional team is available to answer any of you questions or concerns.