We are all fine and having fun, say care homes

A number of homes have been posting that they are taking extra precautions.

St John’s residential home matron Cathy de Carteret was speaking yesterday on behalf of the Guernsey Care Home Managers Association.

She said members were closely following the official guidance that was coming from Public Health and implementing strategies to deal with the situation. She added that staff were working with residents and their families during the crisis. Some homes are putting on extra activities to help support the residents.

‘Most of the care homes have people whose focus is to organise activities for residents,’ she said.

‘So they are stepping up their engagement with residents.’

People who are over 65 or have underlying health conditions are particularly at risk of suffering serious complications such as pneumonia if they contract Covid-19.

The advice is for these people to start socially distancing themselves from others, which means they should not be within two metres of someone for more than 15 minutes. This should slow the spread of the illness. Public Health has also issued specific guidance for care homes, which includes the need for staff to be extra vigilant and take extra precautions.

CI Healthcare owns a number of homes, including Chateau du Village, Browhill Nursing Home and Greenoaks Nursing home.

‘After seeking further professional advice, our homes are now closed to visitors, the business announced. This is not an easy decision to make, however resident safety is our highest priority at this time. Please call us for updates and thanks for your understanding.’

Specialist dementia home GreenAcres has also made the same decision, but posted up a number of pictures of residents having fun to show that it was not doom and gloom behind the closed doors.

‘Just to make everyone aware, GreenAcres is closed until further notice,’ the business posted.

‘But not to worry we are all fine and having fun.’