Table 2.

Themes regarding impact of COVID-19 on Home Care Agencies (HCAs).

Themes		Representative Quote
Staffing Challenges
	Frequent “Call-Offs” or Absenteeism	• “Caregivers calling in with fevers” • “Caregiver concerns about [their own] child care availability” • “Caregivers over 60 calling off concerns of being high risk” • “Patient and caregivers cancelling because they are unclear if our services are considered essential”
	Inability to recruit new or replacement caregivers	• “We can't schedule orientations, people aren't coming in for orientations.” • “We are unable to perform background checks which are required by our state.”
Patient Changing Needs and Challenges
	No longer need caregiver	• “Patients are reducing hours because family members who would normally be at work are now home.” • “Kids or Grandkids home from College so no need for an Aid.”
	Patients fearful of exposure from caregivers	• “Patients requested services delayed for 3−4 weeks due to the COVID-19 virus.”
	Patients’ living facilities no longer permit caregiver entry	• “Assisted Living communities not allowing us entrance.”
	Patient is COVID positive or deceased	• “Lost 1 patient to COVID-19 and another suspended because they tested positive.”
HCA Business Operation Challenges
	Lack of appropriate supplies (PPE, thermometer), cleaning disinfectant	• “Not everyone has thermometers or cleaning supplies” • “Orders for supplies being denied and on back order, currently waiting for masks”
	COVID guidelines	• “No direction from government for non-medicals”
	Financial hardship and sustainability	• “Patients not sending in their payments which can directly affect payroll.” • “Concern about cash flow if we have to pay sick leave and FMLA.”