Updates on our CarePartners’ COVID-19 response
Although most in-person programs still remain closed at this time, our staff are working with each location to determine a timeline to re-open in-person events. We are excited to report that some Care Team® programs will be open soon. We are still offering online events such as Caregiver Education and Conferences. We anticipate 8-10 Gathering Place programs starting during the Summer with more added in the Fall. In addition, several of our Second Family teams are beginning to serve their members. We are excited to once again be with you and we will keep you updated on the latest news.
We aim to continue to fulfill our mission of serving our volunteers and family caregivers who are caring for loved ones with memory loss and other challenges of aging through our three priorities; Support, Education and Resources.
COVID-19 Risk Reduction – CarePartners’ Updated Program Guidance – August 2, 2021
On July 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their recommendations to control the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant and have updated their information about the transmission of the variant.
CDC Updates on COVID-19: July 27, 2021
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19, including severe illness and death.
- COVID-19 vaccines are effective against severe disease and death from variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 currently circulating in the United States, including the Delta variant.
- Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant. When these infections occur among vaccinated people, they tend to be mild.
- If you are fully vaccinated and become infected with the Delta variant, you can spread the virus to others.
- People with weakened immune systems, including people who take immunosuppressive medications, may not be protected even if fully vaccinated.
- Fully vaccinated people who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 to be tested 3-5 days after exposure, and to wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until they receive a negative test result.
To reduce the risk of being infected with the Delta variant and possibly spreading it to others, the CDC recommends individuals wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Harris County and surroundings areas are currently listed as areas of high transmission.
CarePartners’ Updated COVID Procedures
To ensure all of our program participants, volunteers, and staff remain safe, CarePartners has updated our safety guidance and recommendations.
As of August 2, 2021:
- CarePartners’ offices will require individuals to wear a mask or face covering upon entry.
- CarePartners’ staff are required to wear masks or face coverings at all CarePartners’ programs, even if the site does not require them.
- All program participants (volunteers, care partners, and caregivers) are encouraged to wear masks or face coverings during program activities. CarePartners’ will have masks available at all program offerings.
- Each program site determines their COVID-19 risk reduction procedures. All program sites must communicate their safety policies and procedures to their assigned Care Team Coordinator. All program sites must include their safety procedures on program invitations, publications, and other public material.
- Individuals who feel sick, exhibit symptoms of COVID-19 or another communicable disease, or that have been exposed to COVID-19 should not attend in-person programs and follow the CDC guidance for isolation and testing.
It is essential that we all do our part to keep each other safe and healthy. If you or an individual in your household is sick or have been exposed to COVID-19, please do not attend CarePartners’ programs. If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result and recently attended a CarePartners’ program, please notify your Care Team Coordinator or the CarePartners’ office immediately.
Each volunteer, care partner, and caregiver has a different level of comfort about engaging in programs during this time. Some individuals may feel comfortable in an environment without masks; others may prefer more precautions. By including the site’s COVID-19 safety procedures on all public facing materials, our caregivers and care partners can make informed choices about their program participation based on their comfort level. Caregivers are encouraged to call 713.682.5995 to identify program offerings that match their current desire for COVID-19 precautions.
We recognize the balancing act we all must play, and we appreciate your continued participation in our program. We will continue to update you as we learn more information. The safety of our volunteers and clients is our top priority.
Online Daily Activities Calendar, click on the accordion tab below to view CarePartners’ Activity Calendars. Please note, the Daily Activities Calendar will no longer be updated but all past calendars are available. Visit our Events Calendar for information on workshops, conferences, programs and more.
In-Home Gathering Place Guide, click on the accordion tab below to view or print from home to help keep your loved ones and yourself engaged and entertained at home. Please note the downloadable In-Home Gathering Place Guide will no longer be updated, but all past guides are still available.
You can view our Caregiver Education Events videos on our YouTube Channel and Facebook Page. View our online calendar for information on upcoming events. These Caregiver Education Events will keep your loved ones active at home and provide you with resources during this time. Our goal is to bring you educational, helpful and relevant information about how to better care for yourself as a caregiver, and your loved one with memory issues or other challenges of aging. Our Caregiver Education is offered through social media “Hot Topic” segments, online caregiver conferences and workshops.
Below are also some additional resources that can help you stay informed and other resources such as free telephone learning sessions to help family caregivers. We will keep updating this page as soon as more information and resources are available.
Your CarePartners’ coordinator will remain in close contact with you regarding resuming our programs. We are hopeful that the virus slows down and doesn’t gain anymore traction than it already has in our community. We have developed a handout “Volunteering During a Crisis” which describes CarePartners safety recommendations for those sites considering resuming in-person programming. Please note that these guidelines are subject to change depending upon current local and state mandates and they may vary by location and the individual site’s safety procedures. For more information, please feel free to contact your CarePartners coordinator or Tom Breaux
We encourage you to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) by staying informed and following the CDC and World Health Organization’s updates and use basic preventative measures to protect yourself from the spread of respiratory diseases.
- What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Community Spread
- Older People & People with Chronic Diseases at Higher Risk
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your CarePartners coordinator or Tom Breaux, COO/VP
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AARP
AARP will host a weekly live Coronavirus Information Tele-Town Hall on Thursdays at 1 pm (ET). Click here for more information.
AARP wants you to know that they are providing information and resources to help older people and caregivers protect themselves from the virus and prevent its spread. You can find AARP’s coronavirus resources at www.aarp.org/coronavirus.
Preparing Caregivers during COVID-19
Dealing with Caregiving Stress – Podcast
Tips for Being a Long-Distance Caregiver – Hot Topic Online Segment
Prepare to Care: Caregiving 101 – Hot Topic Online Segment
The Different Faces of Caregiving – Hot Topic Online Segment
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Alzheimer's Association
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers from the Alzheimer’s Association. Click here to view.
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CarePartners' Activity Calendar
Week of March 23-March 27
Week of March 29-April 3
Week of April 6-10
Week of April 13-17
Week of April 20-24
Week of April 27-May 1
Week of May 4- May 8
Week of May 11- May 15
Week of May 18- May 24
Week of May 25- May 31
Week of June 1- June 7
Week of June 8- June 14
Week of June 15- June 21
Week of June 22- June 28
Week of June 29- July 5
Week of July 6- July 12
Week of July 13- July 19
Week of July 20- July 26
Week of July 27- August 2
Week of August 3- August 9
Week of August 10- August 16
Week of August 17- August 23
Week of August 24- August 30
Week of August 31- September 6
Week of September 7- September 13
Week of September 14- September 20
Week of September 21- September 27
Week of September 28- October 4
Week of October 5- October 11
Week of October 12- October 18
Week of October 19- October 25
Week of October 26- November 1
Week of November 2- November 8
Week of November 9- November 15
Week of November 16- November 22
Week of November 23- November 29
Week of December 7- December 13
Week of December 14- December 20
Week of December 21- December 27
Week of December 28- December January 3 -
CarePartners' In-Home Gathering Place Guide
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of April 6-10th
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of April 13-17th
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of April 20-24th
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of April 27-May 1
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of May 4-May 8
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of May 11-May 15
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of May 18-May 24
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of May 25-May 31
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of June 1- June 7
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of June 8- June 14
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of June 15- June 21
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of June 21- June 28
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of June 29- July 5
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of July 6- July 12
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of July 13- July 19
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of July 20- July 26
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of July 27- August 2
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of August 3- August 9
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of August 10- August 16
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of August 17- August 23
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of August 24- August 30
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of August 31- September 6
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of September 7- September 13
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of September 14- September 20
In- Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of September 21- September 27
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of September 28- October 4
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of October 5- October 11
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of October 12- October 18
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of October 18- October 24
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of October 26- November 1
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of November 2- November 8
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of November 9- November 15
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week-of-November 16- November 22
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of November 23- November 29
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of November 30- December 6
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of December 7- December 13
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of December 14- December 20
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of December 21- December 27
In-Home Gathering Place Guide: Week of December 28- January 3 - CDC
- City of Houston Covid-19 Emergency Page
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Home Care Assistance
In an effort to help combat loneliness during this time of social isolation, Home Care Assistance has created a 28-page resource guide to promote engagement and stimulation. Chock full of fun and meaningful activities that senior residents can do via their computer or smartphone. Whether it’s taking a virtual tour of impressionist artwork at Paris’ Musée d’Orsay, viewing a timeline of the world at the British Museum, listening to the Vancouver Symphony’s final performance to watching animals at the San Diego Zoo, there is something for everyone!
- Ready Harris
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The 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE
Need help? Dial 211. A free helpline operated by United Way of Greater Houston 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in many languages. Click here for more information.
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Videos
Update on CarePartners’ COVID-19 Response
Why Powers of Attorney are Essential for Caregivers
Live Music Entertainment with Sally & Jim Demasi
Loving Kindness Meditation with Elisha Buster
Terry Vaughn District Manager of Pharmacy and Retail Services for Walgreens
Coming Off Company Benefits and Past 65? What next?
Advice for a Home-Bound Caregiver
Creating Contact: Connection Minus the Virus
Mental Health and Self-Care for the Caregiver
Elder Law: Medical and Statutory Durable POAs
Family Dynamics and Conflict Resolution
Stress Management Tips for Caregivers
At-Home Activities for Older Adults
All Stressed Up and Nowhere to Go
Everything You Need to Know About In-Home Care
Estate Planning for Caregivers
How Much is Enough? Healthy Eating Tips for Seniors
Boosting Our Immune System During the COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond
What is a Senior Advisor and How Can They Help?
What is Compassion Fatigue and How to Manage Caregiver Stress
Organizing and Getting the Most out of a Family Meeting
- Walgreens Covid-19 Response
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WellMed Charitable Foundation
WellMed Charitable Foundation is offering free telephone learning sessions for family caregivers.
» Coping with the Coronavirus While Caregiving »» Click here to view.
» Understanding Medication Safety »» Click here view.
» A Presentation on Grief »» Click here to view.
» Los efectos del cuidado de personas »» Click here to view.
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World Health Organization
We encourage you to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) by staying informed and following the World Health Organization’s updates and use basic preventative measures to protect yourself from the spread of respiratory diseases.