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How we are continuing to manage care during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Twelve Trees Care – how we are continuing to manage the challenges of providing care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Now that South Yorkshire has been placed in tier 3, Twelve Trees Care are taking even more steps to ensure that our residents are kept safe as far as is possible.  We continue to remain committed to providing the best possible care for all of the residents within our care home and our clients within the community.  

Our staff within the care home continue to work hard to ensure that the mental health of our residents is taken care of, as well as their physical care.  We are still trying to maintain as much normality as possible for the sake of our residents, but the Government’s response to tackling COVID-19 has meant that we’ve had no option other than to make changes to the way we work.  This can be difficult for some of our residents to understand, but we’re doing everything we can to ensure we’re responding to their needs and wishes as best as we can.

Our policy to restrict non-essential visits to the care home continues to prove extremely successful in keeping the virus out of the care home.  We have continued to avoid using agency workers who have been working in other care homes and residents continue to be fully supported by our local GP and district nurse teams.

We really do appreciate the support and understanding we’ve had from family members of residents, particularly in relation to visiting their loved ones.  We know this is difficult for both residents and family members not being able to see their loved ones as much as they’d like to, but we are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.  We continue to use technology where we can, as an alternative to face-to-face visits, and we’re expanding the technology available so that there can be more interaction between residents and their families remotely.  We know it’s not the same, but we believe this measure will help to protect everyone.

As has always been the case, if you have a situation that requires a non-routine visit to the care home, please contact Nicola Smith or Maria Snape to arrange this.

We are carrying on with as many activities as we can at our care home to keep our residents entertained, active and happy.  The whole care home has now been completely refurbished and we have a lot more space with enhanced facilities for our residents to take advantage of.  Chair aerobics, movie shows, and sing-alongs are amongst the most popular activities, along with playing games and completing jigsaws.  

Although the weather is turning, we’re still managing to get outside when we can.  We also have the use of our new Twelve Trees Care accessible car and have managed a few trips out into Derbyshire.

Our staff in the Home Care team are as busy as ever making sure that our clients continue to receive the care they need.  We are fortunate to have been able to offer additional to support to clients who need or would like it.  For many clients, our carers may be the only person they see for long periods of time as lockdown and isolation has prevented family and friends from visiting them.  We’ve responded to concerns from clients and family members, offering additional services such as shopping and medication collection for those clients who need a little extra support at this time.  We’ve also been able to provide much needed companionship and a link to the outside world to help combat loneliness and isolation.

We want to make sure that no-one in the community goes without the care and support they need.  We also understand that, at this time of year, people may want some help with Christmas shopping or some companionship.  If you have concerns about a loved one needing some support, whether that be on a temporary or permanent basis, please contact Layla Nicklin or Emma Ward on 0114 258 3802, for more information on how we can help.

Throughout this pandemic, we have heard about a lack of testing and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) available to care providers.  We are fortunate that we have been able to maintain healthy stocks of all required PPE throughout the pandemic, helping us to protect our staff, residents and clients.  We are regularly testing our residents and staff members in the care home and we also now have tests available to our home care staff.  We communicate with our staff regularly, reminding everyone about the PPE and requirements to isolate, as well as keeping them up to date with what’s happening in the area.  We’re also writing to our clients and family members regularly to update them of any changes the pandemic throws our way.

Once again, we’d like to say a huge thank you to the families and friends of our residents and clients for their continued support and understanding through this pandemic.  It has been tough and will be for a while, but the policies we have in place are for the protection of the residents, clients and the staff taking care of them.  We have, and will continue to, follow the advice published by the UK Government and Public Health (England) and we sincerely thank you for your understanding.

We are also really appreciative of the cards, pictures, messages and support we continue to receive from the wider community.  These are the things that really make a difference to the day to day lives of our residents, clients and staff members.

Our staff have been on the frontline of this pandemic since it first started and have been working hard to care for and protect some of the most vulnerable people in society.  They continue to provide the highest quality of care and dedication, whilst helping our residents and clients to feel safe and adjust to the ever-changing demands this virus presents us with.  These keyworkers are our superheroes and we would like to thank them all for what they continue to do for those within our Twelve Trees family!

If you have any questions about the care we are providing to your loved one, or if you’re interested in learning more about the services we provide at our care home or in the community, please feel free to contact us.   

If you have any queries regarding our management of COVID-19, please feel free to contact me by email at Simon@twelvetreescare.co.uk.

 

Simon Mills

Director