Covid-19: How are we coping? Part III Social Care
Download (PDF 1.4 MB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Lincolnshire asked people about their experiences of social care during the pandemic- they wanted to understand and capture the experiences of the public, looking at how supported they felt by their social care services.
The following areas were identified as key findings:
- Many people praised the level of care they had received from both domiciliary and care home staff.
- Many acknowledged how quickly the care homes reacted to the pandemic which in turn provided them with a more reassuring environment and kept them safe.
- 3 out of 4 people they spoke with said they felt every effort was made to encourage communication between them and their loved ones during this time.
- Service users as well as family and friends told them they were craving for face to face visits to improve their overall wellbeing. It was clear this had emotional effects on both the family and the care home residents, especially for those suffering with dementia or other sensory or learning difficulties.
- Digital technology had been embraced to keep people connected using software such as Zoom, Skype etc. However, it was acknowledged that these digital solutions are not always suitable as some found it difficult to interact with, or did not have the equipment or resources to maximise this option.
- They heard from people that they were feeling more isolated and lonelier due to the lockdown and social distancing restrictions than they would do normally.
- Some care staff and family carers felt personal protective equipment (PPE) was difficult to obtain, especially masks and gloves- this effected domiciliary care more than care homes.