If you or your family member gets COVID-19, it’s extremely likely that you will have to wait it out at home. Fortunately, many cases of the coronavirus never end up requiring hospital time. In fact, many of the less serious cases are being sent home from the ICU to make more room for severe cases and other patient needs. This means you should definitely be prepared at home with an emergency home care kit!
The supplies on this list are doctor-recommended items to help you fight COVID-19 in your home.
Category One: Safety and Cleaning
Top supply items for safety and cleaning include:
- Bleach
- Face masks that cover the nose and mouth
- Hand sanitizer
- Gloves for handling objected that may be infected
- Laundry detergent (wash everything on hot)
- Paper towels, tissues
- Soap
- Disinfectant wipes
Bleach is a wonderful chemical for cleaning, and for your emergency home care kit. It is frequently used to totally disinfect objects and surfaces. Make sure if you’re using bleach, you’re in a well ventilated area as the fumes can cause lightheadedness and other significant damage. You should make sure to isolate a sick person to one room with their own supply of tissues, hand sanitizers, and disinfectant wipes so they are able to stay disinfected and help stop the spread as well.
Category Two: Medicine
- Cough drops
- Over-the-counter cough medicines
- Nasal spray (saline)
- Thermometer
- Tylenol or acetaminophen
These are fairly standard items for treating common colds, and most people have them in their homes already. Be sure to verify any pain reducing medications are acetaminophen, NOT ibuprofen. Ibuprofen has been found to worsen symptoms of COVID-19 in people who are showing them.
Category Three: Food / Drink
- Chicken soup
- Vitamin C supplements
- Sports drinks (cut in half with water)
- Lemons
- Honey
- Apples, bananas, and other fruits rich in pectin
Hydration is important, like it is with many other flu-like viruses. If a patient becomes dehydrated, their fever can worsen. Sports drinks are good to replace electrolytes, but it’s recommended to cut them in half with water, as typically sports drinks contain a lot of sugar, and sugar can intensify gastrointestinal issues.
With these tips, you can stay prepared to nurse yourself or your family member back to full health from COVID-19. For in-home care providers, all these steps can be taken to ensure maximum protection against COVID-19 for your patients. In-home care is a very serious and integral part of some people’s lives, and for some is even required. We thank our healthcare professionals for the work they do everyday and wish they stay safe.
If you think in-home care may be for you, feel free to call ACM Care at 877.323.5916. Or, reach out to us via email by filling out our form here.