Care home activites
out some measures to consider putting in place as part of a robust person- centred risk assessment. l Avoid encouraging loud singing. Research suggests higher volume speaking and singing increase risk as droplets travel further and the aerosol produced can stay suspended in the air for longer. (We appreciate this may be very difficult, especially with people living with dementia).
l Anyone leading singing and therefore singing more loudly, should have at least a three-metre distance between them and participants.
l If working with a group use a large a space as possible and make sure it is well ventilated, with a two-metre distance between anyone taking part. Set up the room in advance to help with distancing.
l Use safe ways of sharing lyrics such as a screen to project or a flip chart, rather than handing out song sheets/books.
l Whenever possible, position participants two metres apart and back to back or side to side when singing, rather than face to face.
l You could also consider Perspex screens between residents and the wearing of visors.
l Keep group singing activities short. Research suggests that risks increase the longer group activities continue.
l Wearing masks helps prevent droplets and aerosols when singing.
l If people in the setting are living in bubbles, work only within those bubbles - both staff and residents.
l Consider singing in smaller groups or as one-to-one engagement for residents in their rooms.
l Choose as quiet a space as possible to minimise distractions, and make it easier to hear and be heard without needing to raise voices.
l Consider singing virtually with others, e.g. over Zoom. There are issues around time lag/delay, but some people find they feel more confident to sing in this way as opposed to in person.
Hilary Woodhead
Hilary Woodhead, who has worked in the health and social care sector for 30 years, is executive director of the National Activity Providers Association (NAPA). Hilary is a dementia specialist with a special interest in wellbeing and engagement, she began her career as a care and activity worker in residential and nursing homes, she has since held a number of project management, service improvement and staff development roles, she joined NAPA in 2019.
TCHE
February 2021 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
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