Despite the introduction of a new lockdown in England from 5 November, care home residents will still be allowed to receive visits from family and friends.
According to new guidance published by the government on 4 November, care homes will be encouraged to maintain ‘safe visiting opportunities’ during the lockdown.
However, visits will have to comply with ‘Covid-safe’ guidelines, including social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Care home visits during the new lockdown
Some of the options being suggested to ensure safe care home visits include:
- Secure visiting ‘pods’ separated by floor-to-ceiling screens, with separate entrances for visitors and residents
- ‘Window visits’, where visitors remain outside the building or even stay in their car
- Outdoor visits in the home’s garden or grounds – though it’s unclear how suitable these will be during this colder time of year
- Virtual visits, using video calling technology.
Other measures the government says it is developing to keep care homes open include:
- weekly testing of professionals who regularly visit care homes
- a scheme to give specific family members or friends key worker status and regular tests to enable them to visit care homes regularly.
However, there is frustration within the social care sector that these additional measures have not been implemented sooner.
The absence of a blanket ban on visiting will be welcomed by families who have been worried about loved ones becoming isolated in care homes. However, leading charities have raised concerns that the new guidelines may be too restrictive for many homes and inappropriate for some residents, especially those with dementia.
According to Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK: ‘In practice we fear it will result in many care homes halting meaningful visiting altogether, because they will be unable to comply with the requirements.’
During the first lockdown in the spring of 2020, most face-to-face care home visits were banned in response to the global pandemic. Restrictions were relaxed in July to allow limited visiting. Despite this, visits have been frequently curtailed in parts of the country with the highest coronavirus infection rates.
Different guidelines apply for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How to safely visit a loved one in a care home
As long as the coronavirus pandemic continues, you’ll need to take the following precautions if you’re planning to visit a care home:
- Inform the care home in advance of visiting your loved one. The staff will tell you whether the visit can take place and what special measures they have put in place.
- Expect to be given a specific visiting time slot with a time limit.
- Wear a face covering and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you arrive.
- Depending on the nature of your visit, you may need to wear further PPE such as gloves and an apron.
- You should have no contact with any other resident and minimal contact with care home staff.
- You won’t be able to visit if you are currently experiencing or have experienced coronavirus symptoms in the last 7 days.
- Staff may ask you questions about your own health and any potential contact you may have had with coronavirus before you can enter.
If you need help contacting a care provider, search for their details on our Care Services Directory.
Is my loved one safe in a care home?
Most care homes have introduced rigorous measures to protect residents, including restrictions on external visitors, ramping up of hygiene procedures and extra training for staff.
- Care homes should follow social distancing, wherever possible, and observe ‘shielding’ measures for residents who are extremely vulnerable.
- Care homes should restrict all non-essential healthcare visits and reduce staff movement between homes.
- Staff and residents should be monitored regularly for possible COVID-19 symptoms.
- COVID-19 tests will be offered for staff members and residents in England whether they have symptoms or not.
- Care homes will be provided with guidance on deep cleaning and how to prevent and control COVID-19 outbreaks.
- Residents who have symptoms should be isolated in a single room with a separate bathroom, where possible.
Find out more: Coronavirus: how to protect yourself and others
Coronavirus guidelines for care homes
The government has guidance for care home providers to reduce coronavirus outbreaks and protect residents and care staff. The key components are:
- Appropriate use of PPE: The government says that people receiving adult social care and care workers will receive free personal protective equipment. This must be worn to keep workers and residents safe.
- More testing: all care staff and care home residents are eligible for testing whether they have symptoms or not.
- Prompt reporting of infections: homes should report any confirmed or possible cases to their local health protection team, who will provide advice and support to manage the outbreak.
- Test and Trace: providers are being urged to support NHS Test and Trace by keeping a temporary record, including address and phone number of any visitors.
Find out more: Coronavirus: how families and friends can support older loved ones.
Are care homes still accepting new residents?
The latest guidelines allow care homes to accept new residents – and they are encouraged to do so – as long as they follow strict procedures agreed with local NHS authorities and their local council.
The government has pledged to arrange coronavirus tests for all new residents. And new residents can expect to be isolated in their room for at least 7 days after arriving at the home (extended to 14 days during the national lockdown from 5 November 2020).
Despite this, some homes may feel that they are not currently equipped to take on new residents. If you are looking for a care home, check with individual providers on their current policy.
- Find out more: How to choose a care home
- Find out more: What are the alternatives to a care home?
Home care guidance
Many older people, especially those living alone, rely on support provided in their own home by home care agencies. The government has issued guidance to home care providers to help them maintain delivery of vital care services.
The key points are:
- Reducing social contact: reducing the number of people that vulnerable people will come into contact with and reducing contact between staff.
- PPE: all home care staff should use personal protective equipment to keep staff and patients safe.
- Testing: all social care workers and individuals receiving home care are eligible for testing whether they have symptoms or not.
- Close coordination with local authorities and NHS: care agencies should cooperate closely with local authorities and health services to ensure that care needs for the most vulnerable can continue to be met.
If your loved one receives support from a home care agency, contact the company to find out what safety measures and contingency plans they have in place.
If you employ private care workers to support your loved one, make sure they understand and follow strict hygiene routines, as recommended by the NHS. Also ensure that an adequate supply of soap, towels and other hygiene products is available in the home.
Find out more: How to arrange care at home
Which? advice on coronavirus
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This story was originally published on 18 March and is being regularly updated with the latest developments.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/2020/11/coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know-if-a-relative-is-in-a-care-home-2/