COVID-19 and Care Homes: Lessons from an unprecedented time
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Healthwatch North Yorkshire interviewed care home managers to understand the impact of COVID-19 and the impactful changes made by care homes in response to the pandemic.
The report identifies three key themes: time, space and communication. They found that the pandemic had significantly changed how care home residents spend their time. Staff were spending more time with residents, and as a result were learning more about the individual interests of the residents and were able to develop more personalised care.
Care home managers spoke about innovative ways of thinking about and using space to overcome the challenges brought about due to COVID-19. Care homes utilised visiting pods so residents could see their loved ones outside the home. These spaces became places for involving the wider community and providing greater stimulation for residents. For example, a visiting pod was decorated by local children.
Technology was a main use of altering how communication occurred between people, providing access and information at a time where face-to-face connection was reduced, or not available. We were told how homes turned to social media and regular messaging to maintain communication with residents’ loved ones. Pictures were highlighted as something that residents’ loved ones appreciated.