AARP: Keeping your home healthy before, during and after caregiver visits

UC expert offers tips on staying sanitary when a caregiver visits

AARP interviewed Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum of UC's Division of Infectious Diseases for a story on how to maintain a sanitary environment in your home before, during and after a visit from a caregiver.

Professor Carl J. Fichtenbaum, MD shown here his in lab at MSB. UC/ Joseph Fuqua UC/Joseph Fuqua II

Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum in a lab in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the UC College of Medicine. Photo credit/Joe Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand

Dr. Fichtenbaum says older adults should first check with caretakers and aides through their home care company if they have a policy of screening staff for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure each day prior to a visit.

"If you hire someone directly, call them the day before and ask about symptoms like fever, cough, sneezing or runny nose," says Dr. Fichtenbaum. "Ask if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the past two weeks. If yes to either, it's probably best to avoid the visit." 

Read the entire article here

Find the latest details related to coronavirus disease 2019 (covid-19) on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, and follow UC's latest information with regard to the virus.

Related Stories

1

What's behind the mysterious rise of migraines?

January 5, 2026

Weather patterns such as extreme heat and storm conditions have been linked to migraine attacks, and research shows those environmental conditions are becoming more common. As National Geographic recently reported, one of the leading theories behind this mysterious rise is that climate change may be playing a role.

2

Top six 2025 nephrology drug approvals

January 5, 2026

“2025 has been a landmark year for kidney disease therapeutics, marked by a comprehensive slate of FDA approvals covering endothelin-receptor blockade, complement inhibition, GLP-1-based metabolic protection, and B-cell-directed therapy,” Prakash Gudsoorkar, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and staff nephrologist at UC Health, recently told MedCentral.

3

Weight loss drugs help, but not on their own

January 5, 2026

Millions of Americans are on one type of weight loss drug or another, and a University of Cincinnati physician says there are things to know as we enter the new year. Malti Vij, MD, adjunct associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and provider at UC Health Primary Care in Mason, recently spoke to 91.7 WVXU News.