Welcome to the Asthma Society Community Call Volunteer Resource Page. This community resource page is here to assist and guide community volunteers who are actively helping people cocooning from coronavirus - the materials contained here have been created with the support of the HSE.
What is Community Call?
The Community Call, announced by the Government on April 2nd, is a combination of both state and voluntary resources to identify and help people in the community during COVID-19, specifically those cocooning. Each local authority has established a helpline that vulnerable people can use to access help for basic services such as:
- delivery of food or meals
- transport for essential trips
- collection of prescribed medicines
- shopping for food, fuel, and other essential household items
Find contact information for your Local Authority here to access supports. Contact ALONE on 0818 222 024 to link in with your Local Authority, to talk, or for emotional support.
Each local authority (council) has established a Community Response Forum through which volunteers are recruited. Volunteers will be garda vetted, well-known, and well-established members of the community.
Volunteer Guide: understanding asthma and COPD
Cocooning is required for people most at risk of serious illness if they catch coronavirus. People with severe asthma and/or COPD are required to cocoon because they are considered extremely medically vulnerable and are at risk of experiencing more severe symptoms should they contract COVID-19. Cocooning protects them against this new highly contagious virus. For more information on how to cocoon, click here.
Gaining an understanding of asthma and COPD can be hugely beneficial to all Community Call volunteers. Know how to act in an emergency, understand the needs of vulnerable people, and help them to manage their illness.
Dr Marcus Butler: Caring for your asthma at home: Dr Marcus Butler Consultant/Associate Professor Respiratory Medicine.
Resource Booklets created by the Asthma Society of Ireland
How to stay well with asthma and COPD during coronavirus cocooning
How to stay well, how to watch out for signs of exacerbations of your COPD at home, during coronavirus cocooning.
An Asthma Action plan will guide you on how to manage your asthma effectively and what to do in case your asthma becomes worse. This needs to be filled in with your GP or with our Adviceline Nurses Call 1800 44 54 64 to make an appointment with our nurses
COVID-19: How to recognise the symptoms
COVID-19 symptoms, including cough and shortness of breath, can be a common experience for some people with asthma or COPD. Encourage them to e aware of their symptoms, making note of any new symptoms that arise:
Fever is the symptom that has been most common of any symptom in confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The HSE are particularly focusing on any patient who is experiencing a “new” fever or a “new” cough. If they are feeling hot and cold, shivering, and achy bones, ontact their GP over the phone
In the case of severe illness or in an emergency, call 112 or 999 to contact emergency services
More resources for Community Call volunteers
Asthma Society of Ireland’s free Asthma and COPD Adviceline
If patients feel they would like more information and would like to speak to a nurse about asthma and/or COPD recommend our Adviceline to make an appointment to speak with one of our asthma and COPD nurses.
Available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.
FREE Asthma and COPD Adviceline: 1800 44 54 64
Stop the spread
It is of utmost importance that volunteers prevent cross contamination of the virus. Take necessary precautions to protect yourself, protect the person in need, and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Show the household member your I.D
- Complete hand hygiene before entering a person’s home and after your leave
- avoid touching their face
- Stay 2 metres away from patients, do not make physical contact, and drop items in their front door
- If there is no response at the door or over the phone, contact the Local Authority for additional contact numbers. After numerous attempts to contact the person without success, phone the emergency services for further assistance and wait for them to arrive
More detailed information for volunteers is available here
If a carer develops symptoms, they must inform their team immediately, self-isolate and call their GP.
