Caring for Someone Sick at Home

Limit contact

COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets, created when someone talks, coughs or sneezes.

• The caregiver, when possible, should not be someone who is at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
• Use a separate bedroom and bathroom. If possible, have the person who is sick stay in their own “sick room” or area and away from others. If possible, have the person who is sick use a separate bathroom.
• Shared space: If you have to share space, make sure the room has good air flow.
  • Open the window and turn on a fan (if possible) to increase air circulation.
  • Improving ventilation helps remove respiratory droplets from the air.
• Avoid having visitors. Avoid having any unnecessary visitors, especially visits by people who are at higher risk for severe illness.

Eat in separate rooms or areas

• Stay separated: The person who is sick should eat (or be fed) in their room, if possible.
• Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water: Handle any dishes, cups/glasses, or silverware used by the person who is sick with gloves. Wash them with soap and hot water or in a dishwasher.
• Clean hands after taking off gloves or handling used items.

Avoid sharing personal items

• Do not share: Do not share dishes, cups/glasses, silverware, towels, bedding, or electronics (like a cell phone) with the person who is sick.

• Sick person:
  • The person who is sick should wear a cloth face covering when they are around other people at home and out (including before they enter a doctor’s office).
  • The cloth face covering helps prevent a person who is sick from spreading the virus to others. It keeps respiratory droplets contained and from reaching other people.
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is not able to remove the covering without help.

• Caregiver:
  • Wear gloves when you touch or have contact with the sick person’s blood, stool, or body fluids, such as saliva, mucus, vomit, and urine. Throw out gloves into a lined trash can and wash hands right away.
  • The caregiver should ask the sick person to put on a cloth face covering before entering the room.
  • The caregiver may also wear a cloth face covering when caring for a person who is sick.
    • To prevent getting sick, make sure you practice everyday preventive actions: clean hands often; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and frequently clean and disinfect surfaces.

Note: During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical grade facemasks are reserved for healthcare workers and some first responders. You may need to make a cloth face covering using a scarf or bandana. Learn more here.

Clean your hands often

• Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Tell everyone in the home to do the same, especially after being near the person who is sick.
• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Hands off: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.