Residents experience of Croydon's care homes during Covid 19

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Croydon’s Care Homes had to respond quickly to protect their residents, and the staff that look after them. To understand more about the challenges they went through, and to learn more, Healthwatch Croydon undertook a series of surveys with residents, friends and family and staff between 14 August and 6 November 2020. This report considers the experiences of 54 residents

90% had a good experience before and this only dropped to 85% after restriction came in. However, some residents would like more support in accepting transition to new ways of social contact and understand more the guidance around use of PPE.

Seven in ten residents said that staffing changes had not affected their experience. Some however had felt the effects of having staff they did not know, made more challenging by face mask which made recognition more difficult.

Over two in five residents were not permitted to socialise due to the restrictions: While great efforts were made by those facilities that could enable socialising with resident, there were a significant number that could not socialise due to the rules applied.

82% felt that they had positive contact with their doctor and access to medication when they needed it. Very few did not feel that could access their doctor or medication.

Some residents felt completely isolated because of self-isolation. They did understand why but it affected them.

 Friends and family calls were key for residents keeping in touch. The only ones who did not make calls had no-one to call even if they had the opportunity.

Some residents consistently want more socialisation and stimulation. While it is clear some facilities have made significant effort, this is one of the improvements residents would like to see.

The report contains 4 recommendations.