The decision to move into a care home is never an easy one, made even more difficult by the fact that we’re in the middle of a global pandemic.
SoGlos caught up with Gloucestershire-based charity, Lilian Faithfull Care, about how it admits new residents while keeping current ones safe, during the current Covid-19 restrictions.
About the expert – Suzanne Booker, director of care at Lilian Faithfull Care
Proudly putting people above profits, Gloucestershire-based elderly care charity, Lilian Faithfull Care, creates a ‘home for life’ for each and every resident.
It provides exceptionally high standards of care with a compassionate and dedicated team, throughout its five care homes and two day care hubs in the county.
Is Lilian Faithfull Care accepting new residents at the moment?
We can still welcome new residents to our homes with a vigorous and safe admissions process. Our care home managers are using PPE when they visit prospective residents, and will take all the necessary precautions to help with the transition from their home to a Lilian Faithfull Care home.
All new residents are tested for Covid-19 in advance, and we await a negative result before moving them into our care homes. We continue to be extremely vigilant to protect our existing residents, day guests and teams throughout the current situation.
How are the Covid-19 restrictions affecting day-to-day life for residents?
Within our care homes, we have formed bubbles for residents living on the same floor. Our residents remain in their bubbles and continue to receive exceptional care, all the usual home comforts and a varied programme of socially distanced activities from our care teams.
What are the current rules around visiting residents?
After sadly shutting due to lockdown restrictions, we were so thrilled to be able to reopen our homes to visitors from Wednesday 18 November 2020, in line with new guidance from Public Health England and Gloucestershire County Council.
Visits for a maximum of two people per household must now be pre-booked with our homes, and will be supervised by a member of staff.
Each home has a dedicated, Covid-secure visiting room, with infection control measures including controlled entry and exit points; free standing Perspex screens; auto-dispensing hand sanitisers; and plentiful PPE. The rooms are always cleaned thoroughly between visits, with the use of antiviral fogging machines.
Despite all of the restrictions we have to adhere to for everyone’s safety, a warm welcome awaits! And of course, we are continuing to help our residents stay in touch with family and friends through various other methods such as phone, email, skype and Facetime, as we know how important regular contact with loved ones is.
How are Lilian Faithfull Care homes coping through the pandemic?
Our homes have experienced around a quarter of the number of infections of other care homes in the UK, with some of our homes not affected at all.
We have plentiful supplies of PPE for all of our staff and visitors, we’re operating regular testing for all staff and residents and we have strict infection control measures and procedures throughout all of our homes, for all staff and visitors. These measures help keep our homes safe and free of infection.
What advice would you give to anyone considering moving into a care home soon?
We want to reassure people considering moving themselves or a loved one into one of our homes, who are worried about Covid, that our homes are safe and secure and we are open to new residents to come in safely.
The care home manager will visit in advance, with PPE, to assess their needs. People can bring their own furniture, pictures and items with them to make their new place feel like home. We also have robust Covid testing in place for new and existing residents.
If you need assisted living, respite, residential, nursing or end of life care – or simply just advice and guidance – we encourage people to contact us and we will do all we can to support you and your loved ones.
Now is the right time to move if you or your loved one needs care, are lonely at home or isolated, especially during these times where Covid is limiting contact for vulnerable people. We have everything in place to make this transition as safe and smooth as possible.
