Care home closures

[Saz12]

Dads care home has closed to visitors from today. I totally get the reasoning. I saw it coming. I know that the home has no real choice.
BUT. He has little quality of life and will be utterly miserable. Like many in care homes, he will get worse over time. Lack of company etc and in a few weeks may realistically no longer recognise me or 7-year-old DD.

He needs daily nursing care.
I work, and have primary school aged DD, so realistically I can’t provide 24hr care to him safely.

I know lots of people have far worse CV related problems! But it’s horrible all the same.

Yes lots of people locally have had that message here today too.

It worries me that there's no one now keeping an eye on these homes - we sadly know that is necessary and it will be miserable for the residents but I don't really think they have a choice.

TBH this seems like a much more sensible step than some of the others people seem to be clamouring for.

I agree is a sensible step.
The thing is, I bet a lot of care home staff won’t manage if they only get SSP when they self-isolate.

Can you get some form of skype or facetime going for him? Would need some support from the home end I imagine but would at least give him some interaction depending on how his condition's affected him.

I feel for all those in care homes - I've just spent a few months on placement in one and got very close to residents and staff and they're really on my mind at the moment (but obviously I'm staying well clear for the health of the residents)

Sadly care home workers are probably more likely to manage than most, as it won't be such a huge difference for them and many will be claiming benefits too (as their income doesn't meet thresholds, not suggesting anything untoward).

I have a friend in her 40s who does care work. She's lovely and completely adores her "old people". She's exactly who you'd want to look after your parents. 18yo DS1 earns more in McDonalds

Can you skype or FaceTime. I know it can be tricky for anyone unfamiliar.

I'm feeling a bit conflicted as we've also had a letter from mum's care home talking about only essential visits, and they've cancelled a lot of the activities and trips. It does say for relatives to ring if they are unsure whether to visit or not.

Logically I know that the staff seem lovely, and there is an in-house activities team . Mum has dementia and when they closed for 3 weeks around a year ago because of D&V I really don't think she had noticed / remembered that I hadn't been to see her. It doesn't feel right not to visit when I'm feeling fine, but I suppose that's the thing - people are infectious when they don't know they've got it.

I think I'll ring in the morning and see what they say.

I suppose we need to think that although Our relatives will miss seeing us, at least if they are in residential or nursing care they are being looked after and have some company from the staff and other residents.

Brother FaceTimed for a few years, but had to give up a couple years ago as conversations tended to end with Dad saying “let me just switch this off so I can concentrate”!

Shinynewapple - Dads care home has a blanket “no visitors” ban (obviously doctors are allowed still!).