Author: Maree Leadbeater News

Homes Visiting Update 16.05.21

Dear Residents, Families and Friends.

We hope you have been enjoying the increased access to your loved ones and envisage gradually easing restrictions further over the next weeks. We expect that by 21^st June our residents’ and visitors home life will be back to as close to normal as possible. However, new variants are of concern to government and may result in unexpected changes to their guidance and our visiting arrangements.

Following new government guidance that was published Friday we are pleased to be able to provide updated visiting arrangements commencing from tomorrow, Monday 17^th May.  

Our full visiting arrangements are detailed below with all visiting changes in purple. 

Yours sincerely

Dave Lock

Managing Director

VISITING ARRANGEMENTS

The following applies to Cabins, Gazebos, and Internal visits (not external)

• Visiting appointments are to be booked via our website.
• Visiting slots are for 20-minutes because of limitations of team resources.
• Number of visits is a max of 2 visits per week for each resident.
• Number of visits is a max of 1 visit per week for each household or 2 if you are the only household visiting.
• Coronavirus guidelines as set by the government are to be followed.
• Social distancing of 2 meters apart from all people during the visit unless hand holding has been agreed prior to the visit.
• Care queries about your loved one should be made by calling the home and not during your visits.
• Items brought for residents should be easily cleanable; boxes are good but not flowers etc.
• Virtual communication is encouraged, and resident assistance is available if resources allow.
• Visiting arrangement changes are notified via our text service so please ensure that the home has your mobile phone number.
• Resident exclusion from receiving visits may have to be made by us in exceptional circumstances if a risk assessment determines this is necessary i.e., particularly those clinically vulnerable to Covid.
• Face coverings required unless you are exempt or wearing one distress’s your loved one living with dementia, in which case please inform us prior to visiting, in such case you will need to wear a face visor. To make communication easier speak loudly and clearly whilst keeping eye contact and avoid concealing your face further with say, a hat.
• Visits are not conditional upon vaccination; however, it is strongly recommended for the safety of your loved one and all other residents.
• Visiting may be suspended for 14 days, or cancelled, with no, or short, notice upon guidance by the homes’ local authority including for reasons of any variant of concern.
• In the event of an outbreak of a variant of concern, the LA may suspend visiting for a minimum of 28 days.

VISITING CABINS

• Number of visitors is a max. of 2 people from the same household per visit. 
• Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to appointment time for Covid screening including a temperature check.
• Rapid tests are on hold.
• Hugs are on hold.
• Face coverings are to be worn to and from the cabin.
• No Internal access to any internal areas of the home including toilets.

VISITING GAZEBOS

• Number of visitors is a max. of 2 people from the same household per visit.
• Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to appointment time for Covid screening including a temperature check.
• Rapid tests are on hold.
• Hugs are on hold.
• Face coverings are to be worn at all times during the visit.
• No Internal access to any internal areas of the home including toilets.

INTERNAL VISITS

• The numbers of nominated individuals for internal visits per resident are limited to FOUR (or FIVE if there is no essential visitor).
• The number of visitors per visit is limited to TWO people.
• Each resident may have ONE internal visit per week (plus one cabin/gazebo visit). Additional visits may be possible subject to availability, please liaise with the home.
• Up to TWO small children (Under 4 years old) may also attend the visit and are not subject to testing requirements or PPE use.
• You may hold hands with the resident, but no other physical contact should not take place.
• If you wish to become a nominated visitor, you should contact the home to register prior to your first appointment.
• Visiting appointments are to be booked via our website for either a cabin or gazebo.
• Call the home after making your 20-minute appointment to ask for your visit to be converted to an internal visit.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment time for Covid test and screening including a temperature check.
• Rapid tests are required upon arrival.
• PPE (surgical mask, apron and gloves provided) are to be worn at all times during the visit.
• The visiting area will be a designated safe place set up with hard non-porous easy clean furnishings for infection control reasons.
• There will be no access to any other internal areas of the home including toilets except for handwashing.
• Visitor vaccination is a government recommendation for residents’ safety but not a requirement.
• Hygiene strict hand wash, gel procedures will be in place.

ESSENTIAL VISITORS

• We are committed to maintaining the quality of life of our residents and there are some circumstances in which essential visitors (caregiver) may enter the home.
• We have now expanded these circumstances to enable more visitors and we are gradually facilitating more and more.
• If you think your loved one would benefit from this type of visit, please speak to your home manager about becoming an essential visitor.
• The number of nominated individuals for essential visits per resident is limited to ONE visitor.
• We will need to agree how often you visit, when and what support or practical help you might need to provide.
• You will be subject to the same testing regime as our team.
• Essential visitors are considered exceptional circumstances and should continue in the event of an outbreak unless there are specific reasons not to do so.

EXTERNAL VISITS TO OUTDOOR SPACES

Residents may leave our care homes to visit a friend or family member’s garden or go on walks in places such as parks or public gardens.

WITH NOMINATED INDIVIDUALS

• Each resident can go out with and/or meet up with up to FIVE nominated individuals (the nominated internal and essential visitors).
• They will not have to self-isolate when they return.
• If there are problems with nominated people, please discuss with the home.
• If you need the support of a team escort, please discuss with the home.
• Each external visit collection and return times must be prearranged and approved by the home.
• The nominated individuals collecting the resident should arrive 30 minutes prior to the collection time to take a Lateral Flow Test and undergo Covid health screening (except essential visitor).
• The nominated individuals must wear a mask and gloves at all times.
• At least one of the nominated individuals must always stay with the resident.
• The resident must not meet other people or go into any indoor spaces other than to use toilet facilities.
• The resident must only travel to and from the visit in the nominated individuals’ car or a private taxi and not by public transport.

WITH OTHER PEOPLE

• The person must contact the home to make the appointment.
• The home will assess the visit with an individual risk assessment prior to authorisation.
• All people meeting the resident must minimise contact with others for 2 weeks prior to the visit.
• The resident and all people attending the garden visit must have a negative rapid test at the home earlier on the day of the visit.
• The resident must only travel to and from the visit in the persons car or a private taxi and not by public transport.
• There must be a room available at the visiting location where the resident can stay for 2 weeks isolation should anyone attending the garden visit display any Covid 19 symptoms during the visit.
• The resident must have a rapid test upon return and isolate in their room for 2 weeks.

RELUCTANT TO VISIT?

If you have not visited your loved one because they have dementia, and you have concerns of any type or are worried about how they will respond by maybe not social distancing and trying to touch you etc. Then please ask your home manager to speak to our Dementia Manager, Karen Middleton, who will help you and the home to make visits possible. This organisation advocates and provides support for families of residents living with dementia who are finding it difficult https://goldstandardsframework.org.uk/john-s-campaign-dementia

Homes Visiting Update 06.05.21

Dear Residents, Families and Friends.

The government guidance has now been published but is quite vague in some areas around external visits. Therefore, our visiting arrangements below are based on our interpretation of them and how they fit in with the clearer guidance on all other types of visits.  

All residents will be provided with a team escort to visit a polling station to register their vote today if they wish to. Minibus outings will commence to outdoor spaces as soon as drivers are on board.

We expect (hope) to gradually ease out of all restrictions by 21^st June with our residents’ home life returning to as normal as possible.

Our full visiting arrangements are detailed below with all changes in blue. 

Yours sincerely

Dave Lock

Managing Director

VISITING ARRANGEMENTS

The following applies to Cabins, Gazebos, and Internal visits (not offsite external)

• Visiting appointments are to be booked via our website.
• Visiting slots are for 20-minutes because of limitations of team resources.
• Number of visits is a max of 2 visits per week for each resident.
• Number of visits is a max of 1 visit per week for each household or 2 if you are the only household visiting.
• Coronavirus guidelines as set by the government are to be followed.
• Social distancing of 2 meters apart from all people during the visit unless hand-holding has been agreed upon prior to the visit.
• Care queries about your loved one should be made by calling the home and not during your visits.
• Items brought for residents should be easily cleanable; boxes are good but not flowers etc.
• Virtual communication is encouraged, and resident assistance is available if resources allow.
• Visiting arrangement changes are notified via our text service so please ensure that the home has your mobile phone number.
• Resident exclusion from receiving visits may have to be made by us in exceptional circumstances if a risk assessment determines this is necessary i.e., particularly those clinically vulnerable to Covid.
• Face coverings required unless you are exempt or wearing one distress’s your loved one living with dementia, in which case please inform us prior to visiting, in such case you will need to wear a face visor. To make communication easier speak loudly and clearly whilst keeping eye contact and avoid concealing your face further with say, a hat.
• All visits may be cancelled with no or short notice upon guidance by the homes’ local authority.
• Visits are not conditional upon vaccination; however, it is strongly recommended for the safety of your loved one and all other residents.

VISITING CABINS

• Continue as before
• Number of visitors is a max. of 2 people from the same household per visit. 
• Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to appointment time for Covid screening including a temperature check.
• Rapid tests are on hold.
• Hugs are on hold.
• Face coverings are to be worn to and from the cabin.
• No Internal access to any internal areas of the home including toilets.

VISITING GAZEBOS

• Number of visitors is a max. of 2 people from the same household per visit.
• Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to appointment time for Covid screening including a temperature check.
• Rapid tests are on hold.
• Hugs are on hold.
• Face coverings are to be worn at all times during the visit.
• No Internal access to any internal areas of the home including toilets.

INTERNAL VISITS

• We can facilitate indoor visiting for up to 2 nominated visitors per resident.
• These visitors can attend either together twice per week or separately once per week.
• Up to TWO small children (Under 4 years old) may also attend the visit and are not subject to testing requirements or PPE use.
• You may hold hands with the resident, but no other physical contact should not take place.
• If you wish to become a nominated visitor you should contact the home to register prior to your first appointment.
• Visiting appointments are to be booked via our website for either a cabin or gazebo.
• Call the home after making your 20-minute appointment to ask for your visit to be converted to an internal visit.
• Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment time for Covid test and screening including a temperature check.
• Rapid tests are required upon arrival.
• PPE (surgical mask, apron and gloves provided) are to be worn at all times during the visit.
• The visiting area will be a designated safe place set up with hard non-porous easy clean furnishings for infection control reasons.
• There will be no access to any other internal areas of the home including toilets except for handwashing.
• Visitor vaccination is a government recommendation for residents safety but not a requirement.
• Hygiene strict hand wash, gel procedures will be in place.

EXTERNAL VISITS TO OUTDOOR SPACES

Residents may leave our care homes to visit a friend or family member’s garden or go on walks in places such as parks or public gardens.

WITH NOMINATED INDIVUALS

• Each resident can go out with up to 3 nominated individuals – usually their existing nominated essential visitor and up to 2 nominated internal visitors.
• They will not have to self-isolate when they return.
• If there are problems with nominated people, please discuss with the home.
• If you need the support of a team escort, please discuss with the home.
• Each external visit collection and return times must be prearranged and approved by the home.
• The nominated individuals collecting the resident should arrive 30 minutes prior to the collection time to take a Lateral Flow Test and undergo Covid health screening (except essential visitor).
• The nominated individuals must wear a mask and gloves at all times.
• The nominated individuals must always stay with the resident.
• The resident must not meet other people or go into any indoor spaces other than to use toilet facilities.
• The resident must only travel to and from the visit in the nominated individuals’ car or a private taxi and not by public transport.

WITH OTHER PEOPLE

• The person must contact the home to make the appointment.
• The home will assess the visit with an individual risk assessment prior to authorisation.
• All people meeting the resident must minimise contact with others for 2 weeks prior to the visit.
• The resident and all people attending the garden visit must have a negative rapid test at the home earlier on the day of the visit.
• The resident must only travel to and from the visit in the persons car or a private taxi and not by public transport.
• There must be a room available at the visiting location where the resident can stay for 2 weeks in isolation should anyone attending the garden visit display any Covid 19 symptoms during the visit.
• The resident must have a rapid test upon return and isolate in their room for 2 weeks.

ESSENTIAL VISITORS

• We are committed to maintaining the quality of life of our residents and there are some limited circumstances in which essential visitors (care giver) may enter the home.
• We have now expanded these circumstances to enable more visitors and we expect to gradually expand more and more over the forthcoming weeks.
• If you think your loved one would benefit from this type of visit, please speak to your home manager about becoming an essential visitor.
• You do not need to be one of the 2 nominated visitors. So, a resident could have an essential visitor as well as their 2 nominated visitors, if we all agree that is what is needed.
• We will need to agree how often you visit, when and what support or practical help you might need to provide.
• You will be subject to the same testing regime as our team.
• Essential visitors are considered exceptional circumstances and should continue in the event of an outbreak unless there are specific reasons not to do so.

RELUCTANT TO VISIT?

If you have not visited your loved one because they have dementia, and you have concerns of any type or are worried about how they will respond by maybe not social distancing and trying to touch you etc. Then please ask your home manager to speak to our Dementia Manager, Karen Middleton, who will help you and the home to make visits possible. This organisation advocates and provides support for families of residents living with dementia who are finding it difficult https://goldstandardsframework.org.uk/john-s-campaign-dementia