UK care homes have faced enormous challenges this year, with the spotlight being very much upon them during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many have had to adjust to these unprecedented times and introduce extensive new measures to ensure the safety of staff and residents.
With elderly people falling into the category of those most at risk from the virus, it is understandable that you might be concerned if you are considering moving yourself or a loved one into a residential care home.
At Avon Park Care Home in Southampton, we have taken many precautions and introduced new procedures to help protect our residents and reduce the spread of Coronavirus. Continue reading to find out the steps that we have implemented to keep our care home as safe as possible.
Residents and their families have always remained our highest priority, which meant that during the early stages of the pandemic, we had to make the extremely difficult decision to temporarily disallow visitors from coming to the care home. This, of course, meant that care home residents and families could no longer meet face-to-face.
During this time, we encouraged regular communication in order to combat loneliness, with residents able to contact their loved ones via phone call or Skype, and also participate in our range of fun daily social activities with the other residents.
Having to adapt to the changing environment, and understanding the importance of face-to-face contact on residents’ wellbeing, we recently installed COVID-secure “visitor pods” at Avon Park. These purpose-built pods feature hands-free intercom systems, which enable residents to talk freely and once again see their loved ones in person!
Residents and care staff enter the pod via a door within the home, separated by a laminated glass screen, while their visitors enter directly from another, separate area. There is no direct physical contact between care home residents and their guests, but the intercom system allows them to see and speak easily with one another. After the visit, both sides of the pod are deep cleaned to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff and residents.
The intercom system has been a fantastic, safe addition to the care home and has proved a real hit amongst both residents and guests.
We usually try to have as big variety as possible of different activities for our residents, including guests to speak and discuss about some interesting topics, or musicians and singers to entertain our residents. However, the past couple of months should have been calmer and we’ve spent time in our close group of nurses and residents.
Despite that, we still managed to have some fun during this time!
The introduction of the Government Test and Trace system means that people can now be notified where they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for the Coronavirus. The system specifies that “close contact” means spending more than 15 minutes, less than two metres apart from an infected individual, which includes living in the same household during the period of transmission risk.
In residential care homes, close contact is often unavoidable, especially where a member of staff is personally caring for a resident. However, with the correct safety measures in place, such as appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and frequent sanitising, staff and residents can remain safe.
If a member of staff is notified that they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus while outside the care home, they are required to self-isolate for 14 days in order to protect all of our residents and other members of staff.
Most importantly, over the winter months, UK care home residents and staff will be prioritised for testing of the virus, ensuring those who need protecting the most have access to frequent testing. This means that staff are tested on a weekly basis and residents monthly, or when a new admission joins the residential care home.
As per the NHS guidance, there has been an extensive and additional emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness within the care home, especially washing hands regularly and using hand sanitiser. All surfaces within Avon Park Care Home are routinely and regularly deep cleaned.
Additionally, all of our care staff have extensive training and experience in dealing with infection control. They are also required to wear the correct PPE at all times while working, helping to protect both themselves and the residents, whilst preventing the spread of the virus.
If any resident starts to exhibit symptoms of the Coronavirus, we have isolation measures in place to protect others, in the same way that we would control any other viral infection.
Moreover, every resident has their own private room and ensuite, which helps to ensure that the infection can be controlled effectively, as well as giving our residents some much-needed privacy and comfort during this time.
To help us remain a COVID-free care home, we are only able to offer restricted viewings at this time, made strictly by appointment. Viewings will be COVID-secure, with set times, limited numbers and the correct social distancing and safety measures in place.
Avon Park Care Home in Southampton is open and we are still accepting admissions, subject to virus testing, individual criteria and assessment. To call us for further information, please contact the Home Manager on 01489 574616 or email info@avonparkcarehome.co.uk.
