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Elderly lady in care home

Care homes forum 27 July 2023

Care homes forum Northumberland

Thursday 27 July, 10am – 11am via Zoom

Please join us for our next online forum for those with family or friends living in care homes in Northumberland.

Are you a relative of someone who lives in a care home, or have you recently helped a loved one access respite within a care home? Would you like support or information from others who have shared similar experiences? Come along to our next care homes forum to share your feedback or simply come along to find out more.

We will also give an update on our ‘look and listen’ visits into care homes.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

See what we discussed at previous care home forums

Elderly lady in care home

Care homes online forum Jan 2023

Please join us for our next online care home forum on Monday 9 January, 10am – 11.30am via Zoom.

At our next forum we will be hearing from Alan Curry, Senior Manager – Commissioning Northumberland County Council who will be there to give us an overview on the current situation for Northumberland care homes including information and guidance around care home respite and planned hospital discharge into care homes and associated challenges.

We would also like to hear from you about your current experiences of visiting your loved ones in care homes and your experiences of accessing care home respite or care home placement following a planned discharge from hospital.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

See what we discussed at previous care home forums

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Things I wish I had known before my loved one went to live in a care home

Hearing feedback from relatives of those in care homes, we know that the process of moving into a care home can be a very isolating and upsetting time. There are many different emotional and practical aspects to consider.

Sometimes decisions and choices have to be made very quickly. Even when there is more time to plan, there can be smaller, unexpected issues that arise and make you think ‘I wish I had known this before my loved one went to live in a care home’.

This list was put together by people who attended our care homes forums in 2021 and 2022. It is a simple list of things to think about and comes from their experiences of having a loved one living in a care home.

There will be other things which we have not thought of and if you have more ideas and tips, please let us know and we will add them in.

Things to do

  • Provide more socks than you think will be needed – with recognisable patterns
  • Provide slippers – two pairs at least
  • Keep a supply of clothes at your home to top up/replace items as needed
  • Label everything – clothes and other items – with your loved one’s name. They may change rooms but not their name!
    – iron in labels for clothes and shoes in addition to the home’s own labelling
    – use indelible marker to write name or room number on TV remotes and ornaments
  • Check if you can you use your own bed linen and/or curtains
  • Ask if you can move in small items of furniture. A small side table that sits against a wall gives a nice focal point for ‘knick knacks’ without taking up space
  • Think about things that brighten a room immediately – pictures, trinkets, lamps, throws, cushions, but nothing too valuable or fragile in case of breakages/loss
  • Put a favourite picture of your loved one when they were younger in a prominent place
  • Buy a spare remote control for the TV
  • Think about a small Christmas tree and decorations. Ask family and friends to send cards directly to the person in the home so they feel part of the celebrations.
  • Supply games, picture books etc. to help with visits
  • Take scented drawer liners which add a nice touch to a room

Things to know

  • Labelling is very important but things will disappear, move around the home and reappear – both in and out of your loved ones room
  • Remember to say hello to other residents – you are in their home
  • Care home tea is usually very milky!
  • Care homes can be very warm – wear layers
  • Are meal times protected – is visiting not allowed at this time or can you visit to help your loved one eat?
  • Find out the arrangements for Christmas – are you able to visit or take your loved one out of the home?
  • Leaving your coat and handbag in the car or in the manager’s office, so that you can slip out, can make leaving after a visit less stressful for you and your loved one.
  • Does the home arrange ‘virtual’ visits – who does them and how is your loved one supported to interact with the call?
  • It might be reassuring to ask what a ‘typical day’ looks like for your loved one
  • Visiting can be upsetting so it can be an idea to have someone to talk to afterwards or have a relaxing activity planned

Get in touch

If you’d like to speak to us about your experiences of care homes, care home visiting, information about care homes in Northumberland, or would like to know more about our forums, please get in touch.

 

Download the list as a PDF

Care Home Visits – New Guidance

The arrival of Covid-19 has meant that a number of restrictions have been placed on care homes to prevent the spread of infection and ensure the health and safety of both care workers and its residents. As the rate of infection is decreasing across the country, these restrictions are being lifted, however, a number of changes will be put in place to keep you and your loved ones safe.

This guidance has been taken from gov.uk.

When will I be able to visit a care home?

All decisions on the circumstances, times and frequency of visits to care homes will ultimately be made by the care home providers themselves. These decisions should be made in line with advice from local directors of public health, who will be developing local ‘dynamic risk assessments’ based on the principles outlined in the government’s guidance.

Please be aware that whilst the ability to visit care homes is looking to increase, it is still being controlled based on these risk assessments and is subject to the specific circumstances of the care home and those living and working within it. This is likely to mean that the frequency of visits will be limited and/or controlled for some time.

Do I need to take a test to be able to visit my relative?

No, however if you are displaying any symptoms of coronavirus you should not visit the care home, self-isolate and order a test immediately.

You may be asked screening questions upon arrival. These include:

  1. Have you been feeling unwell recently?
  2. Have you had recent onset of a new continuous cough?
  3. Do you have a high temperature? A care home may consider providing a temperature check for all visitors to provide confidence to visitors and to staff.
  4. Have you noticed a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell?
  5. Have you had recent contact (in the last 14 days) with anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or someone with confirmed COVID-19 – if yes, should you be self-isolating as a family member or as a contact advised to do so by NHS Test and Trace?

How do I travel to the care home?

It is encouraged that you walk to the home or use your own transport where possible.

It might be that some assistance is required to enable visitors who are especially vulnerable to get to the care home. Care homes may consider giving visitors telephone numbers or website information of organisations which can offer advice on safe travel arrangements if required.

What is likely to change when I visit my loved one?

You can expect to see a number of changes but remember they are to keep you and your loved ones safe. These include:

  • Care workers will use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in line with guidance from Public Health England and you are will be asked to wear a mask and/or visor when you are in the building. If you are making close personal contact with a resident you may need to wear PPE which goes beyond a face covering.
  • Care homes with an ‘open door’ policy may have to work towards a more regimented booking system. Ad hoc visits are not advised.
  • Care homes should support NHS Test and Trace by keeping a temporary record (including address and phone number) of current and previous residents, staff and visitors, as well as keeping track of visitor numbers and staff.
  • Visitors should have no contact with other residents and minimal contact with care home staff (less than 15 minutes / 2 metres). Where needed, conversations with staff can be arranged over the phone following an in-person visit

How many people can visit a care home at a time?

To limit risk, where visits do go ahead, this should be limited to a single constant visitor, per resident, wherever possible. This is in order to limit the overall numbers of visitors to the care home and the consequent risk of infection.

Will I need to wash my hands or use hand sanitiser?

Yes, visitors should be reminded and provided facilities to wash their hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the home, and to catch coughs and sneezes in tissues and clean their hands after disposal of the tissues.

What happens if I can’t see my family or friend in the care home?

If there is a restriction to visitors in place, alternative ways of communicating between residents and their families and friends should be discussed and offered. The care home should also provide regular updates to residents’ loved ones on their mental and physical health, how they are coping and identify any additional ways they might be better supported, including any cultural or religious needs.

Visits to a Covid-19 positive resident should only be made in essential circumstances (for example, end of life).

Events

Young lady and elderly man in care home

Care Homes Online Forum

Please join us for our next online care homes forum on Tuesday 20 February, 10am – 11am via Zoom.

Are you a relative of someone who lives in a care home or has used respite in a care home? Would you like support or information from others who have shared similar experiences? Come along to our next care homes forum to find out more or to share your feedback on experiences.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

See what we discussed at previous care homes forums

Elderly lady and man in care home

Care Homes Online Forum

Please join us for our next online care homes forum on Wednesday 8 November, 10am – 11am via Zoom.

We will be hearing from a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspector who will be giving an overview of the CQC’s role in regulating and inspecting care homes. There will be a chance to ask questions.

We would also like to hear your feedback of visiting your loved ones in care homes and accessing care home respite or simply join us to get further support or information from people with shared experiences.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

See what we discussed at previous care homes forums

Elderly lady in care home

Care Homes Online Forum

Please join us for our next online care homes forum on Thursday 27 July, 10am – 11am via Zoom.

Are you a relative of someone who lives in a care home, or have you recently helped a loved one access respite within a care home? Would you like support or information from others who have shared similar experiences? Come along to our next care homes forum to share your feedback or simply come along to find out more. We will also give an update on our ‘look and listen’ visits into care homes.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

See what we discussed at previous care homes forums

Elderly lady in care home

Care Home Online Forum

Please join us for our next online care home forum on Monday 17 April, 10am – 11am via Zoom.

Following the discussion about respite care at the last meeting, Carers Northumberland will tell us about a survey it has done and what carers are saying about their experiences of respite care in the county. If you have had recent experience of this we’d like to hear from you.

We will also hear from the new Acute Admiral Nurse Service which provides specialist dementia support in care homes and the community in Northumberland.

We are starting a piece of work with a care home provider to learn from residents, loved ones and those who run and work in care homes what local lessons can be learnt from the pandemic and positive ideas that would help in other “lockdown” or restricted access situations.  We are at the early stages so come along and help us to shape what questions to ask and share examples of good practice you have experienced.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

Elderly lady in care home

Care Home Online Forum

Please join us for our next online care home forum on Monday 9 January, 10am – 11.30am via Zoom.

At our next forum we will be hearing from Alan Curry, Senior Manager – Commissioning Northumberland County Council who will be there to give us an overview on the current situation for Northumberland care homes including information and guidance around care home respite and planned hospital discharge into care homes and associated challenges.

We would also like to hear from you about your current experiences of visiting your loved ones in care homes and your experiences of accessing care home respite or care home placement following a planned discharge from hospital.

To register for a space or give feedback outside the forum please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.

Elderly lady in care home

Care Home Online Forum

Please join us for our next online care home forum on Friday 30 September, 11.30am – 12.30pm (not 19 September as previously advertised).

At our previous forums we have heard how visiting restrictions in care homes have affected people living there and their relatives, heard more recent experiences of visiting including as an ‘essential care giver’ and discussed ‘the things we wished we had known before our loved one moved into a care home’ to produce guidance to help others.

At our next forum we would like to hear your current experiences of visiting your loved ones and about how visits to the care home from professionals such as dentists, chiropodists and opticians are working.

We will also be starting to visit care homes to understand from a lay perspective how they are doing after the pandemic. Through talking to residents and carers we can get an insight into different aspects of the home, for example meals or activities and would like your advice to help shape this project.

To register for a space please email: info@healthwatchnorthumberland.co.uk or call us on 03332 408468.