REUNIONS IN
ENGLAND’S CARE HOMES AFTER MONTHS OF ISOLATION
These past 12 months have proven to be a truly
challenging period for all care home residents and their loved ones. In a move
designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the UK government adopted
stringent social isolation restrictions in care homes to protect highly
vulnerable residents from contracting the virus.
As a result, everyone—from the residents to
their friends and relatives—has had to pay dearly to cope with this reality.
It’s something that has not only affected their health and wellbeing but also
their quality of life.
The good news is that there is light at the
end of the tunnel and it comes as part of the government update on England care
homes, published on 3rd April 2021. As of Monday of 12th April, residents have
been able to nominate two relatives or friends who are able to visit them
regularly - doubling the previous entitlement.
Better yet, those attending are now also able
to bring their babies and toddlers along on visits as they will not be counted
as actual visitors. This is indeed is great news to grandparents, they will have
an opportunity to meet and interact with their grandchildren for the first time
since the pandemic began.
A CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO BE MAINTAINED
Even as we move past this important milestone,
the need to maintain a cautious approach is as important as ever - as we’re
still in the midst of a global pandemic. That’s why the government has
introduced this rule change along with a few important safety conditions. So
let’s briefly see what these caveats are.
The first condition relates to distancing and
minimising physical contact, with all interactions being limited to holding
hands. The government urges residents and visitors to avoid very close physical
contact to reduce the risk of transmission. This precludes visitors from
hugging and kissing their relatives.
Before any visit, visitors and nominated
caregivers will need to undergo a rapid lateral flow test to confirm they test
negative for COVID-19. While the tests are currently being conducted within the
care home premises, the government hopes to deploy more resources to allow home
testing - something that will significantly boost efficiency during the visits.
The government will continue to supply PPE to
all visitors until March 2022, with more support being afforded to frontline
caregivers. Widespread vaccination is also underway, with priority being given
to residents and care home staff.
Statistics from early April 2021 show that 94
% of aged care home residents in the UK had received their vaccinations, with
the figure for care home staff sitting at some 78%. At this point in time,
there is no news about whether visitors will need to have had their
vaccinations before attending.
GOVERNMENT WILL REUNITE FAMILIES
The Prime Minister has illustrated a
continuing commitment to reunite families torn apart by the pandemic. Mr
Johnson has affirmed that the ultimate goal of easing the restrictions has
always been to bring families back together. He’s particularly happy that more
visitors, especially grandchildren, will be allowed in going forward.
The PM also commends the care home staff and
medical personnel for their quick and effective implementation of the
vaccination process, naming it as one of the key reasons for the reduction in
infection rate. He sees this as a big part of a successful future in reuniting
care home residents with their loved ones with the right mitigation strategies.
Other ongoing measures such as screen visits, outdoor visits, and POD visits will
continue to run alongside the new measures.
'NORMAL’ VISITS LATER IN
THE SUMMER?
Helen Whatley - Minister of State for Social
care - also acknowledges how important the visits are to families and friends.
Pleased that the mission started in March 2020 of reuniting families is
beginning to take shape she’s one of a growing number of people highlighting
the sterling work of dedicated care home staff working tirelessly behind the
scenes.
According to Whately, the next milestone aimed
for is to see how possible it will be to have normal visits in care homes later
in the year... She is, however, aware of how vicious the virus can be in care
homes, so she urges everyone to keep up with the advice and listen to what the
science is telling us.
Residents living with conditions such as
advanced dementia, autism, and learning disabilities need constant care from a
trusted family member or friend. For that reason, the government extended the
caregiver scheme until March 2022.
THE ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY ECHOES THE SENTIMENT
These sentiments were echoed by Fiona
Carragher of the Alzheimer’s Society, who explained the need for residential
dementia patients to receive continuous support from their loved ones.
Unfortunately, the isolation over this past year has separated them,
consequently increasing their dementia symptoms.
She, however, believes that as more
vaccination strategies continue to roll out, families will eventually be
reunited safely. Carragher proposes an individual-to-individual approach when
taking care of the residents for effective service delivery. Besides, she
welcomes anyone who experiences challenges visiting the care homes to visit her
team at the Alzheimer’s Society for help.
AN EMOTIONAL TIME AS FAMILIES ARE REUNITED
It will undoubtedly be an emotional time for
families across the country as more and more reunions occur. As a result, there
will be some much needed human contact for care home residents, many of
who have been on their own for so long.
Visitors just need to maintain safety as their primary focus.
The ultimate goal here is to reunite families
and boost the emotional wellbeing of everyone living in care homes. Coronavirus
has been cruel in this regard and the mental impact of the isolation shouldn’t
be underestimated.
The government is basing its measures on the
latest scientific advice, which shows that a balance must be struck between
infection risk and the importance of family visits. This is why it is
imperative for visitors to take the necessary safety precautions before,
during, and after meeting up with their elderly loved ones to allow these freedoms
to continue.
These changes represent a welcome move that
focuses on not just virus control but also patient well being. That is, after
all, is the most important factor in the equation.
