Care home visiting – new guidelines

People are being urged to follow Government guidance on social distancing when keeping in touch with family and friends living in care homes and supported living services.

Lancashire Resilience Forum is urging people to continue to keep in contact with their friends and loved ones using digital technology such as video calling, social media or by phone rather than visiting in person.

On 1 June the Government announced further easing of lockdown measures allowing more than one household to meet one other person. The guidance went on to state that a maximum number of six people can meet outdoors, provided social distancing can be maintained. This means there are now opportunities for residents living in Care Homes and Supported Living to receive visits from family, loved ones and close friends in some circumstances.

Each care provider will have their own policy on visiting, but it is recommended that people should only visit in person when it is absolutely essential and visits should be limited to a maximum of two people from the same household.

In homes where there are confirmed outbreaks of Covid-19, no visiting will be allowed, apart from in exceptional circumstances when residents are at the end of their lives.

Louise Taylor, Executive Director of Adult Services and Wellbeing at Lancashire County Council and Chair of the Adult Social Care Group on the LRF said:

“Our absolute priority has to be to protect people who are most at risk from Covid-19, including those in vulnerable groups and people who are shielding.

“It’s great that people have been following the rules, despite it being tough not seeing loved ones face-to-face.

“It’s important we continue to follow the guidelines to prevent the spread of this terrible disease and we would ask people to continue to make use of digital technology to keep in contact with their loved ones where possible.

“Most homes in Lancashire have computer equipment, Wi-Fi and large TV screens so it’s easy for people to keep in touch by phone or social media. Some people even organise times where they will wave at their relatives through the window.

“If it is essential to see your relatives face-to-face, you need to contact care providers in advance to organise a time when you can do this safely.

“The visit will most likely be in a garden or outdoor area where social distancing rules can be followed safely.

“If you are a provider and you need more advice on the guidelines, contact either Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen or Blackpool Council’s adult services teams and they will help.”

Lancashire Resilience Forum’s latest visitor advice is based on the Government Covid-19 guidelines.

For more information on the government guidelines, visit the following links:

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing