Table 3 Most frequently coded themes and their subthemes on the top work-related COVID-19 concerns as reported by HC aides (n = 16) in phone interviews of Safe Home Care COVID-19 qualitative study

Aides concerned about becoming infected with COVID-19 from clients

• Clients as possible carriers

• Bringing the virus home to her own family

• Not receiving an alert about a COVID-positive client

• Being vigilant with everything that needs to be touched

• Clients may not wear masks, especially during personal care tasks

• Consequences of becoming sick and being unable to work

 o Financial and livelihood hardships

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Aides concerned about wider occupational and community COVID-19 transmission

• Visitors exposing clients to COVID-19

 o Many visitors entering clients’ homes, often at the same time

  ▪ Family members, friends, neighbors, caregivers

  ▪ Visitors who do not wear masks or distance

• Being a carrier between clients’ homes and exposing elderly clients, others to COVID-19

• Despite heeding precautions, the stress of transmission remains

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Aides empathize with elderly clients who cannot go out of the home

• Clients showing signs of depression from distancing and isolation

 o Councils on Aging, senior centers, other activity places closed

 o Clients getting bored while being stuck at home

• Social distancing has pronounced effect on dementia clients

• Clients are anxious and worry a lot

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Distancing affects compassion & socialization aspects of HC

• Unable to comfort clients with physical connection

• Distancing creates barriers between people

• Some clients do not understand why physical connection is not allowed

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