Looking after our care home residents during the pandemic
Looking after our care home residents during the pandemic has been a challenge. The current Covid-19 Pandemic has caused enormous disruption to everyday life, and has had significant ramifications for care homes in particular. Suddenly the way we look after our residents has changed dramatically and here at Birchwood House we have done everything we can to deal with this, both keeping our residents safe and as active and entertained as possible as we know how important this is for their mental health and wellbeing.
So what are the specific steps we have been taking?
Communication
Many of our residents would have very regular visits from friends and family which was an enormous comfort to them. Very early on, before the lockdown even began, we stopped friends and family from visiting and tightly controlled who came in and out of our care home. This has not been easy but has been an essential step in controlling the virus.
We recognise the importance of residents being able to communicate with the outside world and have been using the powers of technology to help them stay in touch with their loved ones, with regular face time and video calls. This helps enormously with the spirits of both our residents and their families.
Social Distancing
Social distancing is a word many of us would have never anticipated playing such an important part of our lives 12 months ago. With such clear advice that this is how to prevent the spread of the virus, we always make sure our residents maintain the 2m social distancing rules and keep contact with staff to an absolute minimum. Nobody knows how long social distancing rules will be in force for but we will be doing our best to adhere to them for as long as they are!
Celebrating
We love to celebrate at Birchwood House – whether a birthday celebration, Christmas or even Valentine’s Day, our residents enjoy their fair share of cake and a party atmosphere. The social distancing measures make this a lot harder but wherever possible we do our best to celebrate these special occasions. So even if we’re not able to host our annual summer party, or take residents out on trips, we will still celebrate with birthday cake and fly flags for VE day, doing what we can to keep the spirit of our residents high!
Making use of our gardens
We have spoken before about our gardens being one of the benefits of our ‘home from home’ care home and we believe that this has really come into its own during the current lockdown period. With residents no longer being able to take trips out of the care home, having beautiful gardens with bluebells just blooming combined with the weather, we have been able to get our residents safely out of their rooms and enjoying the fresh air and beautiful gardens – vital for their health and wellbeing.
PPE
Importantly our staff have the required PPE equipment when looking after our residents – essential for keeping both them and our residents protected.
Nobody knows what direction this virus is going to go, but we’re doing everything we can to keep our residents safe and well, and will continue to adjust how we look after our residents in line with ever changing Government guidelines.
Other articles you may like
- How reminiscence supports wellbeing in later life
As we age, our memories become threads that connect us to who we are, where we’ve been, and the people we love. Even as routines, health, or mobility change, memories can provide comfort, stability, and joy. The act of reminiscing (even simply talking about past experiences) is something most of us do naturally, without thinking of it as a ‘therapy’. At our Kent care home, we see every day how powerful those shared stories can be. - Apple tarte tatin
Apple tarte tatin is a true delight! This dessert mixes caramelised sweetness with tangy apple undertones. The flaky texture of the pastry is another winner, giving the tarte a buttery, flakey base. We took inspiration from Oliver Rowe, and served ours with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whilst the tarte was still warm. And it’s not just apples! Other fruit like pears and prunes also works great for this pudding. Here’s how to make it yourself: - Gluten free chocolate cakes
Gluten free chocolate cakes There’s nothing better than chocolate for a sweet treat, and these gluten free chocolate cakesContinue reading “Gluten free chocolate cakes” - How can we manage stress to promote wellbeing?
We all know what it’s like to feel stressed, and we all have certain triggers. Whether it’s a deadline at work, a missed flight, or a new social situation, stress is a natural part of life. But as we get older, these stress triggers can change. Our health, and the health of our loved ones, becomes a more prominent source of stress, especially as this is something out of our control. On top of that, there’s the possible move into a care home, which can be a hard transition to navigate. At Birchwood House, we want to recognise the impact stress can have on our wellbeing, whilst using gentle, effective ways to reduce anxiety. So, what are some of the ways we manage stress to promote wellbeing? - National Hot Tea Month: why do we like tea so much?
January is National Hot Tea Month, and there is nothing better than a good cup of tea. It’s one of life’s small pleasures, and it’s a daily routine for many, including for us at Birchwood House! Tea is also rooted in long-standing tradition and cultural significance. Legend says that tea was discovered by Emperor Shen Nung all the way back in 2732 BC, when leaves from a wild tree accidentally blew into his pot of boiling water. Tea came to Europe in the early 1600s, and we’ve been drinking it ever since. To celebrate National Hot Tea Month, here are some of our favourite reasons why we drink it! - Vegetarian Suet Roulade
New year, new recipes! This month, Chef John aced his homemade vegetarian suet roulade. This is the perfect hearty winter meal, with roasted veg packed with soft suet pastry. We’ve paired this with mash, braised cabbage and vegetarian gravy, but it also goes great with a cheese sauce. - Christmas crafts
Merry Christmas! This month is filled with festive fun for our residents, which means all sorts of Christmas crafts to get involved with. And these activities are suitable for anyone; crafting is a great way to boost mood, stimulate our brains, and make memories with those around us. We’re sharing a run-down of how we’ve been making the most of this holiday season – use it as inspiration and show us anything you make! - Clementine Panna Cotta
Clementine Panna Cotta This dessert has been going down a treat with our residents! Inspired by taste buds, thisContinue reading “Clementine Panna Cotta” - Gentle exercises for older adults
When we get older, finding ways to move our body can get harder. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible! Using low-impact, gentle exercise is a great way to stay active without putting too much strain on ourselves. Regular movement is important for a number of reasons, not to mention the physical and mental health benefits. A recent report by Care England even showed that regular physical activity is improving the health, confidence, and wellbeing of residents in care homes, and could even deliver savings of up to £96 million to the NHS.
