Dear Residents, Families and friends.
We have reviewed our visiting arrangements based on the new government’s guidance update.
Feedback indicates that recent political announcements and media speculation has raised some people’s expectations to unrealistic levels. I’m sorry to say that twice a week visits, inside our homes to hug your loved ones just isn’t possible yet! This is far from what we wanted but we are sure that you share our wish to remain vigilant to reduce the risk to our residents. This said, we are really pleased to be able to announce that we are enabling a way for our residents and their families to have a much-needed hug.
These arrangements are likely to extend through the festive season unless we receive new government guidelines. We will share any news on vaccines as we receive it.
We welcome your feedback on our visiting arrangements during the consultation period ending Friday 11th December via email to your home manager.
Yours sincerely
Dave Lock
Managing Director
NEW VISITING ARRANGEMENTS FROM WEDNESDAY 9th DECEMBER.VISITING CABINS
- Visiting appointments are for 20-minute slots booked via our website.
- Number of visits is a max of 2 visits per week for each resident and 1 per household.
- Number of visitors is a max. of 2 people from the same household per visit. The constant visitor constraints are removed.
- Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to appointment time for Covid screening.
- Rapid tests (government lateral flow) must be taken upon arrival. A positive result will terminate the visit and we’ll ask you to take a government PCR test (we’ll provide) and self-isolate. We are privately purchasing approved antigen rapid swab tests to use in homes prior to gov tests arrival or failure of supply.
- Hug your loved one, if you wish, after your consented rapid test result is available in the last few minutes of your visit outside of the Cabin. Subject to rapid test availability and wearing a surgical mask, apron and disposable gloves that we will provide.
- Face coverings are to be worn to and from the cabin. Inform us prior to visiting, if possible, if you are exempt or wearing one causes distress to your loved one living with dementia. To make communication easier speak loudly and clearly whilst keeping eye contact and avoid concealing your face further with say, a hat.
- No Internal access to any internal areas of the home including toilets
- Coronavirus guidelines as set by the government are to be followed.
- Social distancing keeping of 2 meters apart from all people during the visit
- Care queries about your loved one 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.
- Resident leaving homes are against government guidelines, sorry even for Christmas!
- 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 clinically vulnerable to Covid.
- 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.
- Suspended Visits may be introduced if required by a government body because of national lockdown, tiering etc.
- A home outbreak (2 residents/team members test positive) will result in visits being suspended until the home has had no positive tests for 14 days.
VISITING GAZEBOS
- Available at out larger homes as a second visiting pod
- Arrangements as above except for:
- Face covering are to be worn throughout the visit.
- Suspended visits in severe weather conditions
RELUCTANT TO VISIT?
If you haven’t 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
ESSENTIAL VISITORS
You must consent to a test each visit, call the home from the car park, take the rapid test we provide and only after a negative result enter the home. We will provide a surgical mask, visor, aprons and disposable gloves for you to wear. You may hug your loved one, if you wish, in the last few minutes of your visit. Essential visits can continue during suspended visiting periods.
There are 3 very limited circumstances where essential visitors may enter the home:
- During palliative care it is important that a persons’ end of life experience is a special time with family visiting their loved ones following a doctor’s diagnosis of end of life.
- Assisting with acute behaviours a family member may be asked to help support a wider team to meet the needs of a resident living with dementia during times of acute behaviours where our dementia experts believe this will help. This would only be in very exceptional circumstances as determined by our Dementia Manager or Dementia Specialist Nurse.
- Specific healthcare needs of a resident on an individual basis
