By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    Best Ways to Boost Your Immune System this Winter
    November 15, 2022
    back pain issues
    Ways to Treat Constant Back Pain
    August 21, 2023
    Latest News
    How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
    July 17, 2025
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    More On Wellness Programs To Improve Health and Reduce Costs
    January 25, 2012
    Privatizing Social Security and Medicare: Who Can Defuse Political Dynamite?
    June 12, 2011
    Study: Risk of Death in Elderly Patients with Dementia Doubled with Some Antipsychotic Medications
    February 26, 2012
    Latest News
    How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
    July 17, 2025
    How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
    July 17, 2025
    How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
    July 17, 2025
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: When the Bed Bugs Bite: Pest Protection Tips for Home Care Workers and Homebound Elderly
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Home Health > When the Bed Bugs Bite: Pest Protection Tips for Home Care Workers and Homebound Elderly
Home Health

When the Bed Bugs Bite: Pest Protection Tips for Home Care Workers and Homebound Elderly

eCaring
eCaring
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

bed bug protection tipsWhen it comes to providing services in the community, hazardous conditions in the home are an issue field workers face daily.

bed bug protection tipsWhen it comes to providing services in the community, hazardous conditions in the home are an issue field workers face daily. Environmental factors, such as hoarding or family conflict, can not only complicate the delivery of health services, but also can jeopardize a senior’s physical and mental wellbeing. Among these environmental problems are pests, which is especially troublesome for older city dwellers living in highly urban areas such as New York City.

In particular, bed bugs are on the rise again in cities across the country. In recent study conducted by pest control company, Orkin, Chicago tops the list of cities facing a bed bug epidemic, followed by Detroit, Los Angeles, Denver and Cincinnati.

Home care workers who visit patients’ homes on a routine basis are at increased risk for transporting bed bugs. With proper training and constant vigilance, health care personnel can lessen the spread of bed bugs in the community, while still continuing to serve patients.

More Read

Here are the 6 must-have ingredients for the ‘perfect plan’ for your physical well-being in future?
Happy National Doctors’ Day!
Is TV Killing Us?
Attempt to Standardize Home Health Care
Staying Informed: 4 Details Seniors Need to Know About Obamacare

What are bed bugs?

The first step in bed bug prevention involves knowing what the insect looks like and how to identify it.

Adult bed bugs have flat, reddish-brown bodies, and are approximately one-quarter inch long – about the size of an apple seed. They are wingless creatures, meaning they do not fly or jump; rather bed bugs spread by crawling. The old saying, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite” derives from the fact that bed bugs are primarily active at night. During the day, they hide in beds, mattresses, and other tiny cracks and crevices.

Why are bed bugs dangerous to seniors?

Bed bug bites may appear as itchy red spots or welts, similar to a mosquito or flea bite. While bed bug bites are not known to spread any diseases to humans, they can still create medical problems for seniors living at home.

Older adults with compromised immune function, whether the result of age or a chronic condition, may be at risk for blood infection. Excess scratching can produce skin infections and ulcers. For persons with poor eyesight or impaired cognition, spotting the bugs is harder which leads the problem to fester and multiply if no one intervenes. Bed bugs can also lead infected seniors to isolate from the community, family, and friends.

Bed bug prevention tips for home care workers

There are simple precautions in-home care providers can take to minimize their exposure to bed bugs and lessen their risk of spreading the pest to others.

  • Ask if there have been any insect infestations in the last 2-3 months. Don’t be shy! This is about everyone’s health and safety.
  • If you suspect there is an infestation, perform a thorough inspection. In addition to examining all linens, check wall edges, under appliances, in books and magazines, behind hanging picture frame, and in window areas.
  • Cover your shoes with a disposable slip on booties and remove. Dispose of the covers as soon as you leave the home.
  • Avoid wearing clothes with large pockets and do not wear accessories such as scarves
  • Do not sit on upholstered furniture or on the bed. Inspect the cracks of hard chairs before sitting down. If possible, bring a hard surface chair or plastic stool.
  • Carry re-sealable plastic bags to hold personal items.
  • When leaving the patient’s home, inspect yourself for any bed bugs or eggs.

Have you ever encountered bed bugs on a home visit? What did you do? 

TAGGED:bed bugscaretakingeldercareseniors
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Grounded Healing: A Natural Ally for Sustainable Healthcare Systems
How IT and Marketing Teams Can Collaborate to Protect Patient Trust
Global Healthcare Policy & Law
July 17, 2025
paramedics in surgical gloves and masks
How Health Choices and Legal Actions Intersect After an Injury
Health care
July 16, 2025
a woman giving a key
How Probate Planning Shapes the Future of Your Estate and Family Care
Health
July 16, 2025
a woman with kinesio tapes on her back arm
How communities and healthcare providers can address slip and fall injuries with legal awareness
Health care
July 16, 2025

You Might also Like

air pollution and air quality
Home Health

10 Ways You Can Improve Your Home Air Quality During the Winter

December 28, 2020
Alzheimer's disease prevention
Home HealthSpecialtiesWellness

Reading, Writing, Brain Stimulation Keeps Dementia and Alzheimer’s at Bay

August 6, 2013
Home HealthWellness

Can Aromatherapy Help You Relax and Fall Asleep at Night?

January 29, 2021
Home HealthWellness

Why Is Water Important? Health Benefits Of Drinking Enough Water

July 31, 2020
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?