As Australia’s trusted home care provider, Right at Home shares information for carers about preparing food hygienically and what type of food to serve to maximise the immunity of your loved one.

Hygienic food preparation in a COVID 19 environment

COVID 19 is spread in large droplets by coughing and sneezing. The air will not infect you but all the surfaces where these droplets land are infectious for about a week on average.  The virus infects you through your nose or mouth via your hands or an infected cough or sneeze onto or into your nose or mouth. You can spread these germs from yourself to the food if you touch your nose, mouth, hair or your clothes, and then food.

Shopping

Many supermarkets provide sanitiser wipes and paper towel to wipe trolley handles clean. Make use of these facilities to reduce the chances of catching viruses. Coles and Woolworths are opening their stores for the elderly and disabled and those with low immunity from 7 am so they can shop before the crowds and get stock of items they need. They are also restricting home deliveries to those in need. Use these opportunities to protect yourself and your loved ones and ensure they get the supplies they need.

Cleanliness while preparing:

• Perform the proper handwashing technique which is washing for 10 – 20 seconds with soap and or use a greater than 60% alcohol- based hand sanitiser.
• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly and regularly.
• Wear gloves when preparing food.
• Clean work surfaces regularly.
• Wash kitchen utensils and equipment between uses.
• Use clean, sanitised and dry cutting boards, equipment and utensils.
• Clean and rinse wiping cloths after each use and change them frequently.

Prepping and serving:

The following are tips provided by Vic health

Keep it hot

• Use a thermometer to make sure foods are thoroughly cooked and the centre
• reaches 75 °C.
• Hot food must be kept at 60 °C or hotter.
• Check that only clear juices run from thoroughly cooked minced meat, poultry, chicken or rolled roasts.

Keep it cold

• Cold food must be 5 °C or colder.
• Frozen food must be frozen hard.
• Check the temperature of fridges and cold storage areas regularly.

 Keep it uncontaminated

• Keep raw food separate from cooked or ready-to-eat food.
• Use separate utensils and cutting boards when preparing raw and cooked or ready-to-eat food.
• Thaw food in your fridge, away from, and below, cooked or ready-to-eat food
• Do not serve food that is out of date
• Ensure food is properly cooked before serving
• Store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the fridge

Keep it quick

• Limit the time that high-risk food is in the temperature danger zone (5 °-60 °C) and return to the refrigerator during delays.
• Large portions of food take longer to cool.
• Divide large portions into smaller batches before cooling.
• If food is kept within the temperature danger zone for a total time of 4 hours or more, throw it out.

What healthy food to cook and serve?

Serve well balanced meals with whole grains, vegetables, and fruits in good amounts. Meat portions should be smaller to keep the consumption of saturated fat in check.

Stock up on nutrition-packed foods that will stay fresh for a week or longer.

• Breads such as corn tortillas, whole grain English muffins, bagels, wraps, frozen whole wheat waffles
• Grains such as instant oatmeal, quick cooking pasta, frozen brown rice, couscous
• Fruits – preferably fresh fruit such as apples or citrus or dried, frozen, or canned in juice or water
• Vegetables - fresh veggies (celery, broccoli, onions, potatoes), plain frozen, low sodium canned or sun-dried

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links:

Australian Government Department of Health

Victorian Health and Human Services

NSW Health

Queensland Health

ACT Health

WA Department of Health

Tasmanian Department of Health

Northern Territory Department of Health

SA Health

Caring for Loved Ones at Home

As a home care provider Right at Home Australia provides support and homecare and assistance needed for people suffering with illness to remain at home together with their loved ones through recovery. Our care services fall into several categories of home care for seniors, adults living with a disability and post-operative care including services for those with special care situations caused by complex medical conditions such as cancer. Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and have a comprehensive portfolio of care services that ensure your loved ones get the care they need.  If you think you or your loved ones have symptoms of the flu or Coronavirus you must seek medical advice and attention as soon as possible.

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Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors and adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no admin or subscription fees Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget.

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one.

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website.