COVID-19 Insight Report – Lockdown 2: What relatives of Greenwich care home residents are telling us

Healthwatch Greenwich spoke to 8 relatives of residents in 6 of the 11 care homes in Greenwich.

Many felt that decision-making regarding visits is inconsistent.

Relatives are concerned about garden visits in cold weather and feel conflicted. They want to continue to visit but (in homes where residents sit outside for visits) can see their loved one is visibly cold. They are worried that visits will need to stop because of cold weather.

All visitors were required to wear face masks when visiting, which presented problems such as residents being unable to identify or hear them.

Relatives of care home residents with dementia have specific concerns. Many feel care home residents are well looked after physically but their psychological and emotional needs have not been met.

All relatives told HW Greenwich that they had begun to think about whether their loved one should receive the COVID vaccine. Mainly, relatives wanted to know how soon the vaccine would be rolled out to care homes.