How to visit a care home safely during Coronavirus
/We’ve seen how visiting care homes during the Coronavirus pandemic has had to change dramatically. As restrictions ease and the government guidance was updated again on 19th July, we explain how you can continue to safely see your loved ones.
Like almost every aspect of our lives, Coronavirus has changed how visiting works in care homes. Whether we’ve been in full lockdown or had restrictions on what visits can take place, care homes like ours have adapted to make sure our residents stay in touch with those who are most important to them, while still remaining safe.
Here are some of the new solutions we’ve put in place at Hill House and Westside to follow the government guidance around visiting care homes during Covid. We’re doing everything we can to make sure visits can continue, be it in person or via video call.
Always check the Government website for the latest guidance on visiting care homes during Coronavirus.
Different ways you can visit care homes
1. Video calls
We introduced video call technology in our care homes early on in the pandemic as a way for our residents to stay in touch when face to face visits weren’t possible. And while nothing can replace seeing each other in person, video calls have actually had a number of positives for our residents too, so we plan to keep using them even as the restrictions ease.
Firstly, as we’re primarily a nursing home, many of our residents find them less tiring than a physical visit, so are able to enjoy better conversations. They can also be a convenient alternative to visiting in person, as they don’t require wearing PPE, or Covid testing. And talking without wearing a mask is much easier for someone hard of hearing.
The flexibility of video calls means relatives or friends who live further away have been able to stay in touch with more than just a phone call. By setting up the functionality for video calls, our residents have met new grandchildren for the first time, and even taken tours of new homes. As our entertainment programme has had to adapt as well, we’ve also made the most of video calls for activities too. See some of the events we offer.
We’ll be keeping this option available as it clearly offers some real benefits and another way for our residents to connect with loved ones.
2. Outdoor visits
During the warmer months, socially-distanced, garden visits are very popular and have recently been reintroduced. And as we still have some limitations on who can come inside for visits, we’ve created outdoor visiting pods which allow for more people to continue with these all year round. The pods have a screen between the resident and the visitors, so while physical contact isn’t possible, it does ensure safety for everyone and removes the need for PPE, or testing.
Outdoor visits like this don’t have to comply with the same limitations as inside, meaning more people can visit other than the designated ‘indoor’ visitors (see section below). And like video calls, this type of visit are beneficial for some of our residents who find visits extremely tiring.
3. Indoor visits
For many of us, one of the hardest parts of lockdown was not being able to see our friends and family, and this has been especially difficult for care home residents. Thankfully, indoor visits started again in March 2021 and as of 19th July we are allowing 8 nominated visitors per resident, with 2 visitors at any one time. Opening our doors again to visitors, and seeing residents have physical contact and help with their personal care, has been wonderful for everyone.
To make sure all our residents have the chance to see their loved ones, we have capped these visits at three per week, and for everyone’s safety, we’re taking precautions and following government guidance. This means asking all visitors to take a rapid Covid test prior to their visit, and whilst we no longer require full PPE for now masks must still be work. We are also keeping all visits under 45 minutes.
Hill House Care own and run two care homes in Surrey, Hill House in Kenley, and Westside in Purley.
Get in touch if you would like to find out more about either home, arrange a viewing, or take a virtual tour.
Please note: We’re following the guidance for visiting care homes in England as set out by the Government. There may be different restrictions for other parts of the UK. Always check the Government website for the latest guidance on visiting care homes.
