As Australia’s trusted home care provider, Right at Home shares information on how the community and carers can wash their hands properly in this COVID-19 environment.

Washing your hands properly and frequently can help reduce the spread of the virus. So, to keep you informed and entertained, we’ve brought to you this lovely instruction…

Wash your hands with Dame Judi Dench

Actor Dame Judi Dench, together with friend and fellow actor Gyles Brandreth, was featured in a video tweet last week titled ‘A Public Service Poem - from Judi Dench & Gyles Brandreth’, where the duo recited The Owl and the Pussy Cat while washing their hands. The tweet, also a nod to Dench’s recent performance in Cats, is just one of a string of social media posts by celebrities to help cheer up the public during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Their message, albeit funny, is a serious one. COVID-19 has been described as a respiratory virus that spreads when mucus or droplets containing the virus get into your body through your eyes, nose or mouth. Hands are often the way these droplets are transported from one person to another. Washing your hands often and properly means that you can help prevent this transmission.

The World Health Organisation places washing your hands at the top of its list of basic protective measures against COVID-19. “Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.” – World Health Organisation.

A really good demonstration of how this works is shown in this video by Dr. Adele McCormick from the University of Westminster. The video shows in detail how to wash between fingers, the back of hands, the thumbs and the front of fingers.

Global non-profit UNICEF recommends washing your hands:

• After blowing your nose
• After coughing or sneezing
• After visiting a public space, including public transportation, markets and places of worship
• After touching surfaces outside of the home, including money
• Before, during and after caring for a sick person
• Before and after eating
• After using the toilet
• After handling garbage
• After touching animals and pets
• After changing babies’ diapers or helping children use the toilet
• When your hands are visibly dirty.

How to COVID-19-proof your hands in seven simple steps:

• Apply anti-bacterial soap to hands
• Rub hands palm to palm
• Rub hands palm to palm with fingers interlaced
• In a circular motion, rub the tips of fingers in the palm of the opposite hand
• Clean thumb by holding it in the other hand and rotating
• Interlock fingers and rub back of fingers on opposite palms
• Rinse hands with water        

Brevity aside, the message is clear from both Dame Dench and from global health organisations.

Wash. Your. Hands.

Caring for Loved Ones at Home

As a home care provider, Right at Home Australia provides support, homecare, and assistance for people suffering from 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. Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government-approved home care provider for levels 1-4 and has a comprehensive portfolio of care services that ensure your loved ones get the care they need.

If you suspect you or a loved one of having flu-like symptoms or Coronavirus, you must seek medical help as soon as possible.

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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

If you have enjoyed reading this blog, please share it with your family and friends by clicking on the social media buttons at the bottom of this post.

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.