Increased freedom for care home residents and their loved ones
With the announcement of the latest government guidance comes increased freedom for our care home residents, and more opportunities for them to see their loved ones face-to-face.
More named visitors for residents
We're thrilled that, as of today (17th May), our care home residents are each allowed 5 named visitors who can meet with them in the home. This is an increase on the 2 they were previously permitted. This is another step towards regaining the social contact which is so important for our residents' wellbeing.
Crucially, this is also in addition to Covid-safe outdoor, pod and window visits, meaning that residents can see more than the named 5 people who can meet with them indoors.
A resident's 5 named visitors include their essential caregiver, if they have one, but exclude babies and children of pre-school age, who are not counted.
Each resident can receive up to 2 named visitors (3 if one is their essential caregiver) at a time, or over the course of any one day. Whilst children of pre-school age and under are not counted, the total number of visitors a resident receives should not exceed the current guidance on maximum numbers for indoor gatherings. This currently stands at a maximum of 6 people.
Visitors to the home will need to complete a rapid Covid-19 test (known as a Lateral Flow Test, or LFT) prior to visiting. This test can be carried out at home earlier on the same day (provided official confirmation of a negative result is received in time for the visit), or on arrival at the care home. Please read our guidance on LFT self-testing here.
PPE will also need to be worn by visitors, who are advised to keep physical contact with their loved one to a minimum, and observe social distancing from all other staff and residents in the home.
Resident trips outside of the care home
The last few weeks have shown how beneficial a change of scene and time spent in the fresh air have been to our residents.
Updated government guidance has now increased the number of activities that residents can do outside of the home without needing to self-isolate on their return. This is a great boost which removes the previous penalty of spending time out of the home.
Permitted lower-risk activities now include:
- spending time out of doors
- outdoor exercise (provided there is no close contact with others)
- work, education or training
- routine medical appointments (provided these do not include an overnight stay)
- visiting places that are necessary for a resident's wellbeing, including day centres and places of workship
Residents should keep their social distance from others and avoid close physical contact at all times. As long as they avoid crowded places, public transport and indoor spaces (excluding those essential for their wellbeing), and provided the locations that they are visiting are not deemed to be high risk, residents will no longer need to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return.
In a nod towards regaining their independence, residents no longer need to be accompanied by named visitors or care home staff when they leave the home (unless this is essential for their safety and wellbeing). If they meet any visitors outside of the home, these visitors will need to carry out an LFT in the same way as if the visit was taking place indoors.
Book your visit
To make arrangements to meet your loved one outside of the home, or to visit them in it, please contact the home directly. You can find information and contact details here.