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

Themes	Subthemes	Frequency coded
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	***
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	***
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	**
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	**

Coding frequencies (n = 16): *** 8 participants; **3–5 participants.