Monthly Archives: September 2020

Re-Introduction of Temporary Lock-down

Coronavirus

Please excuse the impersonal nature of this Notice – it is produced for urgent circulation to the relatives and/or to the next-of kin and/or to friends who visit our Residents.

Very sadly, you will no doubt have heard or read in the National Media of the recent resurgence of this nasty disease and in particular the vulnerability of persons of mature age, with or without underlying health issues, to the disease – especially those in residential or nursing care.

Although, currently, we are given to understand that, geographically, the worst affected areas are in the North of the Country and in Central London, the fear is that the resurgence will become more widespread and may become more local. Indeed, in the last few days we have received a report that two employees at a local Doctors’ surgery in Leominster have proved positive to the disease. That has served purpose to remind us that we cannot allow ourselves to become complacent about this disease and, at least presently, our journey toward returning to ‘normality’ is still not within safe reach.

Needless to have to say, there has been no shortage of National and Local guidance coming to us over the last few days (and we know that yet more is on its way) in which the common message is very clear – bolt the hatches; secure the Home from as many non-essential visits as possible and reintroduce maximum precautions to best safeguard the virus free health of our residents.

ACCORDINGLY – WITH GREAT SADNESS

With immediate effect we have suspended, at least for the time being, all visits to the Home otherwise than for our own staff; essential medical and specialist repair personnel.

That has not been an easy decision for us – but it is a decision which the guidance has encouraged us to take and which we do consider to be in the very best interests of all our residents

To date, we have been very fortunate to remain a COVID–19 free Home (in no small measure due to the dedication of all our staff who have worked tirelessly to achieve that). Our aim and sincere hope is to remain that way.

[Issued for distribution 14/9/20]

Residents Present:

Audrey, Edna, Avril, Ruby, Jean P, Jean M, Mary, Gwen, Lydia, Muriel, Wilson, Sheila, Chris L.

Staff Present:

Home Manager Gen, Julie, and Debbie.

Meeting Opening:

Gen opened the meeting by welcoming everybody and noting this will be the last one in the Summer. Gen welcomed Debbie to our staff team and informed residents that she will be doing night shifts but is doing some days to get to know all the residents. Also explained that we have had a lot of holidays from staff to cover over past weeks which at times has been difficult for everyone. 

Home Closure:

Gen discussed the Lockdown of the home and how well everyone is coping with it – residents and staff. There is at present no plan in place to allow any further opening of the home or for residents to be allowed to access the community. This instruction has been given to us by the Hereford Health Authority allowing only essential outings such as Hospital appointments when a member of staff will accompany a resident. A discussion was prompted as to whether we might be able to have a bus trip out into the country with no stops or mixing in the community. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 virus at present we are unable to do this.

Achievements within the Home since July:

We have welcomed back our hairdresser Janet who is with us every Wednesday she is complying with all covid-19 regulations, wearing a mask, and ensuring best possible practice, she has been in self isolation at home during the lockdown. This has been incredibly positive for all residents and making us feel good. Muriel has also had her hairdresser Belinda and said that Belinda might be willing to do other residents if needed.

We have also had Tariq the chiropodist taking care of residents’ feet again. He is complying with all Covid-19 regulations and is presently only doing feet in the downstairs bathroom or shower room. Muriel asked if he could go to rooms as it is awkward in the bathrooms as there is no proper chair and little room to move. Gen explained that he must stay in one place at present due to the Covid19. She said we will look at the possibility of using the hairdresser salon or another space within the home.

There has also been a positive increase on ideas from residents and staff regarding mutual engagement with each other on a one to one basis. We are incredibly happy to see so many enjoying the newly decorated middle lounge. Singing together, quizzes and baking are still the most popular activities and most attended. The ‘Foot Spa’ is appreciated.

Next Steps for September

In September, all 30 staff and 34 residents will have to have another Covid-19 test, all of which will need to be registered online by Gen. This is to ensure everyone’s safety and is recommended by the Health Authorities. We will be having our annual Flu vaccines and Gen has already emailed the doctors to obtain consents. Nurses will come to the home to administer these. We will keep you informed when we have a date confirmed for the tests and flu injections to take place.

Infection Control, Hygiene and Cleaning

Gen was incredibly pleased to say that extra measures have been taken to ensure continual cleaning of all surfaces, frames, furniture etc. Temperature checks of staff and residents are being done every day. Staff are wearing masks to stop bringing anything in from outside.  The outside patio area is being cleaned down before and after all visits with anti-bacterial sprays. Muriel asked if it would be possible to have a towel available before visits as sometimes the furniture is a little damp and needs to be dried off. Muriel also praised how hard working and helpful our domestic staff are but, due to lack of staff, bedroom cleaning has not been as frequent as in the past and Wilson also commented on how helpful they were and nothing was too much trouble even if it wasn’t their job. Julian commented that his family had visited and said how impressed they were with our cleaning. Gen assured residents that she will keep a check on this and that we will be having a new member of domestic staff joining us in September so that we can maintain and increase the cleaning on a daily basis. Hand hygiene has been much improved, and staff are encouraging and helping residents with this. We must also be aware that Oral hygiene is extremely important both morning and night as this virus does affect the respiratory system so staff will be encouraged to ensure that residents are able to do this efficiently and give assistance where needed.

Contacting our loved ones and friends (communication)

We have been staying in touch with our loved ones by letter writing, phone calls, video calls and waving through the windows. Those residents who can contact their relatives and friends without assistance have been using the phone, computer, and video calls. If any resident requires further assistance, then please ask a member of staff. We will do more letter writing and handprints over the next month. Our garden visits are going well and we have been lucky to have some good weather although we have unfortunately lost our gazebo and umbrellas to the high winds, we do have umbrellas available if it is a little wet. We will continue to arrange these visits wherever possible as at present this is the only contact the government will allow us to do.

Shopping

We have plenty of stock of oral hygiene products, glasses wipes and hearing aid batteries if residents need them. If you need any other shopping you can either do it on line where possible, ask a relative or friend to get it and drop it off or speak to a staff member and we can organise to get it for you.

Keyworkers

Gen asked residents for some feedback about their keyworkers. Residents did not realise that they had one or how it worked. Gen explained that one member of staff is allocated to each resident and it’s their job to check with that resident if they are okay, how they are feeling, if they need any shopping and ensure all residents clothes and personal items are labelled. Gen wants everyone to feel valued and included and if anyone is feeling exceptionally low or down, she would be able to arrange counselling. Residents can of course ask any member of staff for help and assistance at any time.

Meals

Gen asked residents what they thought of the meals and if they were still enjoying them. Responses were incredibly positive saying that meals were very good and have been lovely and hot as well. Muriel pointed out that the salt and peppers need to be cleaned more regularly and topped up as they become blocked up. Julian suggested it would be nice to have a ploughman’s although he realised some may find this difficult to eat. Muriel asked for soup sometimes. It was agreed that soups would be lovely, and residents were asked to mention their favourite flavours. The most popular suggestions were winter vegetable, leek and potato and Scotch broth. Ruby said she loves Tomato soup but the smooth one out of a tin. Muriel and Julian both suggested it would be nice to have some sauces available such as salad cream, horseradish, tartar sauce and Wilson requested to have vinegar. Teatime seemed to be the popular time to have these suggestions including a fruit salad. Gen will put these ideas to the kitchen staff, and we will buy in some sauces. Gen also said that breakfast was working much better with having two staff in the kitchen and was much less rushed and residents were up earlier and having more fruit and berries with breakfast.

Projects in the home

Gen said she has been working on a few different projects to improve Quality of Care over the past months, Oral Health and Hearing aids being the most relevant to our residents. Our two Team Leaders Aurelija and Harriet oversee ensuring that residents are receiving the best care with regards to oral health and hearing and have been doing an amazing job. Quality Assurance questionnaires were completed by some visitors and here are a few of the wonderful comments we had as feedback:

‘Kindness & empathy to residents & families. Amazing range of activities. Vigilance in monitoring concerns about residents. Excellent monitoring of adverse events i.e. falls, weight and diet monitoring.’

‘The environment is one of caring, dignity and calm’

‘As far as everyone at the Forbury is concerned you have shown nothing but care, love and support’.

‘Throughout the 6 years Glyn has been there. We have no hesitation in recommending the Forbury as a prime residential care home’

‘Gives me of peace of mind that my relative is encouraged to take part and is well looked after’

‘The staff are always polite and welcoming. It has a lovely calm and tranquil feeling when you walk in’

‘I think the home does everything to a high standard and this is down to the manager and her team’.

‘They are always friendly, polite and in a good spirits. To have kind and caring staff is crucial to the well-being of residents’

Activities

Activities in the home have been going well, I know we all miss our outside entertainers being able to come in but in the future they will return. Since the middle lounge has been opened it has been amazing to see residents engaging with online activities, with ability to listen to old time music, singalongs, as well as watching films and doing exercises. Enabling us to have some fun and stay active in mind and body. Julie will be putting posters up over the coming weeks to display times we will be able to access online Church Services that will be shown in the middle lounge for residents that wish to see. Julie will also get together with Lydia to choose some ‘old-time films’ that we can watch online as we miss visiting the library to choose the DVD’s. We would like to encourage residents to join in with activities where possible and will be continuing with our baking sessions, Quizzes and crafts if any one has any ideas or suggestions for an activity please let us know and we will do our best to include them. Gen suggested we have an in-Home party towards the end of September for residents as this year we have been unable to go on any trips or have our summer sale due to Covid-19. If anyone has any suggestions for a theme, please let us know. It would be lovely to have a theme.

Gen closed the meeting by saying that she wants everyone within the home residents and staff to feel at ease and included during this difficult time of lockdown and if anyone had any concerns or worries to please share with herself, her deputy Ilza, Julie or a member of staff and we would be happy to help. There are comment slips with envelopes available by the notice board if you would like to express anything in a private and confidential manner.

WE CAN ACCEPT VISITS FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF OUR RESIDENTS ON OUR PATIO AREA WEATHER PERMITTING AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM IN PLACE FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY AT 11AM, 12PM, 2PM AND 3PM.  FAMILIES NEED TO TELEPHONE THE OFFICE ON 01568 613877 IN ADVANCE TO BOOK A SLOT.

RESIDENTS ARRANGING THEIR OWN VISITS NEED TO COME TO STAFF OFFICE AND BOOK THEM WITH A TEAM LEADER.

WE ARE ONLY ALLOWING ONE FAMILY OR FRIEND TO VISIT ONE RESIDENT AT ANY ONE TIME.

ON ARRIVAL YOUR VISITOR WILL BE ASKED TO COMPLETE A COVID -19 CHECK FORM AND SIGN IN AGREEMENT.

YOUR VISITORS AND YOURSELVES WILL BE ASKED TO WEAR A MASK AT ALL TIMES DURING THE VISIT AND COMPLY WITH THE 2 METRE SOCIAL DISTANCE RULE. THERE IS TO BE NO CONTACT WITH THE PERSON VISITING.

A MEMBER OF STAFF WILL REMAIN WITH OUR RESIDENT WHERE NECESSARY TO HELP AND SUPPORT IN THE VISIT.

 

The next residents meeting will be on Wednesday the 30^th September in The Gallery of Happiness at 2pm.