Covid-19


ones on a video call asking why they have not visited, and it can just lead to everyone becoming upset. For some families and care homes, discussions have had to take place as to whether such attempts are beneficial especially if someone is living with dementia.


Seeking feedback Feedback from relatives and loved ones is traditionally gathered by the care home during visits and face to face reviews. While none of these have been able to take place, family communication apps make it possible to review plans of care with families and gather their input and feedback remotely. Most care homes will agree that


families are really important members of the team when they are providing holistic care to people. Using technology to ensure that they can still fulfil this vital role remotely has helped to bridge the gap during the Covid-19 pandemic.


Life after Covid As the vaccine rollout continues and the numbers of positive cases and deaths continue to fall, its time for care homes to start thinking about life after Covid. What does that look like for residents and what has changed? What will be different? Sadly for people living with dementia,


being separated from the families for so long might mean that they no longer recognise them. There are many stories in the media about how care home residents now do not try to interact with their loved ones and seem to have forgotten who they are. This is, of course, heart-breaking, and


further demonstrates that mental and psychological health have suffered while we have been so focused on protecting physical health. For many families in the UK, reuniting with their loved ones will be


a joyous time but for others it is going to be incredibly hard, especially if they have deteriorated mentally or physically. Physical fitness and mobility may have worsened for some people, especially for homes that have dealt with large outbreaks and have had to confine people to their bedrooms. As a registered nurse, I see daily how important it is to keep older people moving and independent. If you do not use it then you lose it is a common phrase when trying to encourage someone to remain active and mobile. In addition, we may need to consider


that people may be fearful now of the outside word. It could be quite difficult to integrate people into society. This is not just the case for older people. I think everyone feels an apprehension on varying levels. For some, it might be about being in a large crowd, or travelling abroad again for the first time. We need to remember that this virus


has been dangerous for everyone but for older people they have been the target, they have been the group of people most at risk, with a huge death count. We have been so careful to wrap them in a bubble and lock them away. It might be very scary for them when we say, ‘OK, it’s safe to go out again now’.


Claire Bailey


Claire Bailey is clinical operations manager at AutumnCare, a company providing software solutions to the care sector. Claire also works as a volunteer registered nurse in a nursing and residential care home and has first-hand experience of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.


August 2021 • www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 33


We might find that many have lost their confidence due to their age, frailty, illnesses or just because of the impact of Covid-19. Families and care home staff will face challenges in reassuring people that it is safe for them to go out again, to see their loved ones, to come out of their rooms in some cases. As a nurse and as a granddaughter of


an older lady who is feeling apprehensive about returning to normal life, I am looking forward to the day that Covid-19 becomes a thing of the past and we can enjoy some normality with our residents and loved ones. I do not think that any of us will take the simple things for granted ever again.


TCHE


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