Care home visits in Northumberland
Our public forum on care home visits in November produced some really interesting and insightful discussion. We talked about how people are keeping in touch with loved ones in care homes during the pandemic, the effect on those in the homes, particularly those with dementia, and the effect on relatives, plus what would help, going forward and throughout the winter to make the situation easier.
Further to the issues raised at the forum, where people told us they were unclear on what care homes can or can’t do in terms of visits, we asked Liz Morgan, Director of Public Health in Northumberland for information. She shared the guidance on visiting that has been sent to every care home in the county, which can be found below.
We are hoping to hold another Zoom forum around these visits in the coming months, and in the meantime please keep sharing your experiences of care home visits.
Tell us your experiences of:
- Using video calls (FaceTime, Zoom etc.) or telephone calls – does the home support these? How many times a week and how long? Does a member of staff help your loved one with the call?
- Socially distanced visits – does the home support ‘window’ visits. How many times a week and how for long?
- How does the home keep you informed about how your loved one is getting on (apart from necessary issues about their care or health), for example, manager updates, photographs, videos
- Does the home have a programme of group and one-to-one activities? Has your loved one taken part?
- Has the home asked you what, within the current restrictions, would make this time easier?
- What, within the current restrictions, would make it better for you and your love one?
- When restrictions are eventually eased (not totally lifted) what would help you and your loved one?
