Wellbeing and happiness during the pandemic
Being a company with a big heart we understand how big of an impact that the pandemic has had on some of our clients and carers. Our carers and client’s welfare is really important to us and we wanted to boost wellbeing and bring smiles to our valued Rivendell Family.
Click here to find out more about how we have gone the extra mile during the pandemic.
- Easing of restrictions
Please find information regarding COVID-19 and our measures moving forward.
“Today is not the day we can declare victory over COVID” Boris Johnson.
After the conference with Boris Johnson on Monday 21st February, the Prime Minister announced that self-isolation for people who test positive with covid-19 will be discarded from Thursday 24th February 2022.
Whilst we understand that we must live with coronavirus, we believe we should implement our own policy and procedures moving forward with our clients and carers who are vulnerable and create our own risk assessment for carers and clients who test positive.
To release safe measures and move forward, it is essential to detect covid the best way possible, that’s why it is vital to continue with our own current procedures so we can respond quickly if need be. We do have vulnerable clients and carers, so it is critical to protect them the best way possible.
What are our procedures for COVID-19?
Care workers should report suspected cases of COVID-19 to their managers. They will not be able to attend client’s home until they have received two negatives lateral flow tests after two repetitive days on day 5 & 6 of testing positive.
With the nature of our work, we advise to isolate at home for 5 days and only return to work with a clear lateral flow test on day 5 & 6 to limit the spread of the virus.
Symptoms of coronavirus
• a fever -high temperature – 38 degrees Celsius or above.
• a cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry.
• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties.
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means that you have noticed that you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are like other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.
If staff exhibit any of the above symptoms, they must stay at home for the required time until they can return to work.
What is Infection Protection Control?
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a scientific approach and practical solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers. It is grounded in infectious diseases, epidemiology, social science and health system strengthening.
We are constantly ensuring that all care workers are up to date with online training with Infection prevention and control and COVID-19 training, as new practices and findings are being developed during the pandemic. Care Workers have online access to our policies and procedures that are constantly being updated. The office staff will let you know if any training is required if guidance changes or is updated. - PPE
Rivendell continues to have a good source of PPE (personal protective equipment) including gloves, face masks, hand sanitizers and aprons, which are a one-use item when carrying out different tasks at a service user. We ask each care worker for a weekly stock update to ensure that there is a constant supply.
If you are struggling to collect your PPE, please let us know and we can do our best to deliver it to you in good time.
Daily Lateral flow testing
CARERS: We require care workers to do daily Lateral Flow tests and for them to be sent into the office each day and to register their results on the GOV website in order to work for Rivendell. Please email your result to staff@riendellcare.co.uk and register your LFT’s https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result
We strongly advise you to create an online login to make the process faster
Keeping yourself and others safe
While no situation is risk free, moving forward Rivendell are changing their COVID-19 policy to safeguard
potential risks of contamination of the virus within our already existing bubbles.
A big THANK YOU to our current staff members, on the frontline who go above and beyond to deliver safe and high-quality care, your passion for your roles is truly appreciated and we are so proud of you all.
- Vaccine Information
Now that the NHS is rolling out a coronavirus vaccine, there are lots of questions we all have about what it might mean for us.
What do we know about a coronavirus vaccine and doses?
More than one vaccine has been approved for use in the UK. Each vaccine requires 2 doses to be fully effective.
If you’ve already received your first dose, it’s likely your appointment for the second dose will be postponed for another few weeks. However, everyone will receive 2 doses within 12 weeks and benefit from the maximum
protection of the vaccine.
The UK regulator and Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (the independent experts that advise Government on all vaccines) have assessed all approved vaccines to be safe and able to offer a ‘high’ level of protection against becoming severely unwell with coronavirus. - Why do I have to wait longer for my second dose?
You will receive your second dose of the vaccine within 12 weeks of the first. This is because the evidence shows that 1 dose of a vaccine gives significant protection in the short term, and The Government has decided to
prioritise getting as many people as possible their first dose as quickly as they can. - Who’s eligible for a coronavirus vaccine?
Coronavirus vaccines will be made available to all adults at some point. While we don’t have enough information yet to know exactly when that might be, we do know it’s going to require patience as not everyone’s going to be able to get vaccinated at the same time.
To make sure those most in need of a vaccine receive one as soon as possible, the Joint Committee on
Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised the Government to prioritise certain groups. Once these groups have been offered their vaccine, the JCVI will set out the priority order for the remaining adult
population.
The initial priority groups are set out below, starting with those considered high priority:
• Older adults that are a resident in a care home and their care workers.
• Everyone aged 80+ and all health and social care workers.
• Everyone aged 75+.
• Everyone aged 70+ and all those considered clinically extremely vulnerable and have been shielding.
• Everyone aged 65+.
• Everyone aged 16-64 with an underlying health condition which puts them at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell, and unpaid carers.
• Everyone 60+.
• Everyone 55+.
• Everyone 50+.
Age is a major risk factor for coronavirus, so the oldest age groups and older people living in care homes are a top priority.
This priority list provides a framework. However, that’s not to say everyone single resident in a care home will receive a vaccine before any health workers receive theirs, for example. Due to factors such as transport, storage and vaccines that may require low temperatures, it might be this order might vary a bit in practice.
This guidance may change as more information becomes available on the individual vaccines and groups listed above. - How can I get a vaccine?
The NHS will contact you and invite you to book an appointment when it’s your turn. You may receive a phone call from your GP practice or local NHS service, but you may also be contacted by email, text message or by letter. So it’s useful to keep an eye out to make sure you receive the message (for example if you have a mobile phone but don’t typically use text messages). If your contact details have changed lately, now is a good time to make sure your GP practice has the most up to date information.
You may receive invitations to multiple sites, in which case you can choose where to get your vaccine. If you
receive a letter from the NHS to book online or over the phone and the only available locations are too far away or not possible to get to then you can keep trying to book as more options and appointments are being added. You can also wait to be contacted by your local GP or NHS service.
You’re able to book an appointment on behalf of someone else, but you’ll need their NHS number to do this, this will be included on letters received from the NHS.
Don’t worry if you haven’t been contacted yet, different areas are moving at different speeds and as more locations open more people will be contacted to book their appointment. As long as you’re registered with a GP and have up to date contact details you should receive an invitation in due course.
Vaccinations will take place at one of the following settings:
• at a hospital
• in the community – through GPs and pharmacists
• in specially designated vaccination centres.
The number of vaccination sites is increasing all the time to help vaccinate as many people as possible.
If you can’t travel to get a vaccine, you should still be contacted. The NHS is working on special arrangements for people who are housebound. - Is the vaccine safe?
Yes. While there will be different vaccines available, no one will receive a vaccine that hasn’t been properly
approved and shown to be safe.
Each vaccine will have gone through trials to ensure the risk of serious side effects is low. However, as with other vaccines such as the flu vaccine, there are some common side effects. These could include:
• A sore, ‘heavy’ arm where you had your injection.
• Feeling tired.
• A headache.
• General achiness or mild flu-like symptoms.
• For a small proportion of people, their glands might swell. If this happens, you’re advised to take paracetamol.
If you do experience any of these side effects, they’re likely to last no longer than a week. But if they do get worse or you’re concerned you should call NHS 111 and explain your symptoms and let them know you’ve had a vaccination.
Any side effects you experience can also be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) Yellow Card Scheme.
Serious reactions to vaccines are uncommon but can happen. The advice on allergies has been updated, it is now advised that anyone with a previous allergy to the ingredients of the vaccine should not receive it however those with other allergies such as food and other medicines are able to receive the vaccine. If you’re concerned, speak to your healthcare professional for further advice. - What don’t we know about the vaccine yet?
While there’s plenty we do know about a vaccine, there are still things we don’t know for sure.
This includes:
• whether the vaccine prevents symptoms or also stops infections being transmitted from one person to another. As a result we will all need to continue to be careful even after we have received a vaccine
• how long immunity lasts after you’ve had a vaccination and how often you might need to get vaccinated.
Experts will monitor the vaccine and what happens next, but it may be some years before we get the answer. - What will happen at my vaccine appointment?
When you attend your appointment, you’ll be asked:
• How you’re feeling and if you have any symptoms that would stop you from being able to have the vaccine.
• About your medical history.
• If you have any questions.
• To consent to having the vaccine.
You’ll need to bring:
• A face covering unless you are exempt
• Your booking reference number if your appointment is at a large vaccination centre
• Proof of your occupation if you’re a health or care worker - What to expect:
• All places offering vaccines will have social distancing and other measures in place to keep you safe.
• Depending on which vaccine you receive, you may be asked to wait for 15 minutes after having the vaccination.
• You’ll be given a leaflet about what to expect after your vaccination to take home with you.
• You’ll be given a record card.
• Your next appointment will be in the period up to 12 weeks after your first vaccination and in the same place as your first one.
Keep your record card safe and make sure you attend your next appointment. After receiving your first and second doses of the vaccine you must continue to follow government COVID-19 rules and guidance. It’s important to return for your second dose as this maximises long term immunity. - I’m worried about vaccine scams, what should I look out for?
There have been some reports of scams related to the coronavirus vaccine.
The coronavirus vaccine in England will only be available via NHS England, you may be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a GP surgery or pharmacy to receive your vaccine, this may be over the phone, via letter, email or text message. The vaccine is free on the NHS and no NHS organisation will ask for financial details including bank account or card details and PIN or passwords relating to your finance and banking.
Here are some more tips to help keep you safe:
• The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine.
• The NHS will never ask you to prove your identity by sending copies of personal documents such as your passport, driving license, bills or payslips.
• If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up.
• Forward any suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, where links to malicious content are analysed and blocked.
• Suspicious text messages can be forwarded free of charge to 7726.
If you believe you’re the victim of fraud, please report to Action Fraud as soon as possible by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.policy.uk. - Once I’ve had the vaccine do I still need to follow the restrictions and government guidance?
Yes. While the vaccines are a positive step in allowing current restrictions to be eased and we’re all looking
forward to be able to see our friends and family again, we’re not yet sure whether having the vaccine prevents you from passing coronavirus onto others and so it’s very important that once you have either dose of the
vaccine that you continue to follow social distancing rules and any government guidance on restrictions.
This includes:
• Self-isolating if you are required to do so, for more information see here.
• Maintaining social distancing measures from those not in your household or support bubble.
• Booking a test and self-isolating if you have symptoms of coronavirus.
• Wearing a face covering if you are able and where it is required to do so.
• Following Government guidance on meeting with others in your area. - Does a vaccine mean other restrictions will be lifted?
While measures such as social distancing, wearing masks and other restrictions will need to continue for a while after people start receiving a vaccine, once the more vulnerable members of the population are vaccinated we’ll likely be able to start returning to normal life. - I’ve had coronavirus. Do I still need to get a vaccine?
While your body may have built up some natural immunity to coronavirus if you’ve already had it, we don’t know for certain how long this immunity lasts or how well it protects you from catching it again.
This natural immunity from having an illness doesn’t usually last as long as the immunity of a vaccine, so it’s
recommended that if you’ve had coronavirus you do still get a vaccine when it becomes available to you. - How will consent for the vaccine be gained for people with reduced capacity to make
decisions about their healthcare?
Everyone who receives a coronavirus vaccine will be required to give consent. Some people who will be offered the vaccine may lack mental capacity to make decisions about vaccination – this may apply to your loved one.
If this is the case, the decision-maker – usually someone’s GP or the person giving the vaccine – will need to
follow the legal requirements set out under the Mental Capacity Act. You may already be familiar with this
process. If you would like some further guidance on this please contact our office and we will be happy to tell you the most recent policies and procedures on this matter. - How have the coronavirus vaccines been developed so quickly?
Developing a vaccine often takes some time. This is usually because research and pharmaceutical companies can’t commit to funding the whole process. There are often long gaps between phases while organisations wait for funding before moving to the next stage. Even when a vaccine is approved, it takes some time for
pharmaceutical companies to set up manufacturing and produce the vaccine in the quantities needed for public use.
As the coronavirus pandemic has had such an impact globally, researchers and pharmaceutical companies have worked together to reduce the amount of time spent waiting between the phases of development.
Funding and approval for these vaccines has been made a priority. Governments around the world have
‘pre-ordered’ doses which means pharmaceutical companies have been able to set up manufacturing for
vaccines earlier than usual.
The NHS is already preparing a vaccination programme so it can start vaccinating people as soon as vaccines are approved and available.
While this collaborative approach means vaccines will be available sooner, it doesn’t mean any shortcuts have been taken. Each vaccine that’s approved for use will have been through all the essential stages in its
development. - Where can I get reliable information about the vaccine?
At Rivendell Care and Support, we get all of our information from reputable sources including the NHS, academic experts, scientific publications, pharmaceutical companies, The World Health Organisation and the organisation that approve the vaccines, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
But there is lots of misinformation out there. So how do you know what you can believe?
Do I know where this information has come from?
If the person you’re talking to, the social media post you’re reading, or the YouTube video you’re watching doesn’t say where they’ve found the information they’re sharing, it’s worth being sceptical.
We also know there is some false information around which has been deliberately created to worry or upset people. If you see something unnerving, run through the rest of this checklist to see if it is likely to be true. - Is it from a trusted source?
Is the information from a trusted news source that you are familiar with? There are lots of people claiming to be experts speaking about vaccines, but it may be hard to tell whether they are as knowledgeable as they say they are. - Who else is saying the same thing?
If you’ve found information that looks like it could be legitimate, but you aren’t sure, see if you can find it from other reputable and trusted sources. It is unlikely that only one source has a true story about coronavirus. - Is this new or old information?
This is a quick-changing area and researchers are improving knowledge about the coronavirus and the vaccines all the time. What may have been thought to be true a month ago may have been improved upon, disproven, or understood better by now.
How is Rivendell keeping safe and effective with the ongoing struggles of COVID-19?
Barnet local authority have provided us with weekly COVID tests for our care workers which are being monitored and recorded on our online portal.
Our dedication continues in protecting our service users and care workers against this pandemic. We are
constantly looking at ways of improving our service to make sure we continue to provide the highest standard of care as well as working in a safe environment. Since the third national lockdown, stricter measures have been put in place with our care worker and client ‘bubbles’ limiting the amount of crossover contact. To reassure you, our company policy throughout the pandemic has been to not take on any clients that are testing positive with COVID before joining the Rivendell family. The office are having regular meetings and are adapting practices on a daily basis to ensure that we are always operating in a safe, professional and caring way.
We are following the ever-changing COVID guidance from the Government, CQC and local authorities.
Infection Protection Control is still at the highest importance during these times. We are constantly ensuring that all care workers are up to date with online training with Infection prevention and control, as new practices and findings are being developed during the pandemic. Care Workers have online access to our policies and
procedures that are constantly being updated.
Rivendell continues to have a good source of PPE (personal protective equipment) including; gloves, face masks, hand sanitizers, aprons and face shields, which are a one use item when carrying out different tasks at a service user. We continue to ask each care worker for a weekly stock update to ensure that there is a constant supply.
- Loneliness during the pandemic
One of the feelings millions of us are experiencing during the current coronavirus pandemic is loneliness. In our combined efforts to stay safe and save lives, our usual ways of seeing family, friends or just familiar faces have been put on pause. - HOW LONELY ARE UK ADULTS FEELING?
According to a survey of UK adults which took place during lock-down (2 – 3 April), one in four (24%) said they had feelings of loneliness in the “previous two weeks”. When the same question was asked shortly before lock-down, just one in ten people (10%) said they had these feelings. In a matter of weeks, social distancing left millions more people in the UK feeling isolated.
Young people aged 18 to 24 were most likely to experience loneliness since the lock-down began. Before
lock-down, one in six (16%) said they felt lonely. Since lock-down, young people are almost three times more likely to have experienced loneliness, with almost half (44%) feeling this way. - HOW DOES LONELINESS AFFECT OUR MENTAL HEALTH?
Many of us feel lonely from time to time and these short-term feelings shouldn’t harm our mental health.
However, the longer the pandemic goes on for, the more these feelings become long-term.
Long-term loneliness is associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems, including
depression, anxiety and increased stress. The impact of long-term loneliness on mental health can be very hard to manage. - WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREVENT LONELINESS?
The government is telling us to stay at home and only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work, to stay two metres (six feet) away from other people and wash our hands as soon as we get home.
That means we need to adapt how we connect with people and find new ways to stay in touch during this time. Now, more than ever, is the time to keep up those strong social networks that act like a buffer against poor mental health.
Staying in touch via video calls, Whatsapp or just regular phone calls, is vital. Keep up your routines where possible – for example if you play cards with your friends on a week-night, try keeping this in the diary and playing a game on a video call instead. Or potentially join one of the many online quizzes hosted on Facebook or Youtube, playing as a team.
If you’re not tech savvy, regular phone calls, messages or even writing letters are lovely ways to show someone that you’re thinking of them.
- HELPING OTHERS WHO MIGHT BE EXPERIENCING LONELINESS
Three in four of the overall population, and about half of the younger population, have not been experiencing loneliness during lock-down according to the survey.* This shows great resilience during this time of isolation and shows that many of us are adapting our ways of keeping in contact with people. Doing good is good for our mental health, so now could a good opportunity to help someone else who might be feeling lonely.
One idea is to get in touch with someone who lives alone or might not have many relatives or close connections to check in on them. A message or a phone call could make a big difference to someone who hasn’t heard from anyone in a while.
If it’s a neighbour, you could even share something you’ve baked with them – at a safe distance! If you know someone who struggles with technology, now could be a good time to talk them through setting up something like Skype or Zoom at home. This could make a huge difference to their social interactions in future.
IT’S NOT JUST YOU
Remember, no one is exempt from feeling lonely at times. All of us, at some point or other during this coronavirus pandemic, will feel cut off from our loved ones. However, some of us will have greater access to technology than others, or more social connections.
By caring for each other, checking in on people who are more isolated, or even volunteering for a helpline, we can help prevent a loneliness epidemic.
- WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE FEELING LONELY
• Try calling a friend, family member, health professional or counsellor to talk about your feelings.
• You could also contact Samaritans, call: 116 123 or email: jo@samaritans.org if you need someone to talk to.
• Join an online group or class that focuses on something you enjoy – that could be anything from an online exercise class, book club etc.
• Consider going for short walks in public places (while keeping a two metre distance).
This is a challenging and sometimes lonely time, but it will pass. There will be lots of hugs, shared pots of tea, parties and celebrations in the future. For now, let’s be as kind as possible to ourselves and others.
Information from: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
- Covid-19 update
Dear Friend of Rivendell,
Preparing for a second Coronavirus spike
With a potential second coronavirus spike and more local lockdowns on the horizon, Rivendell Care & Support are preparing on how best to continue to protect our Service Users and Care Workers.
This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was challenged about preparations for a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic if the disease rebounds in the winter.
It comes less than a month after Leicester was plunged into the UK’s first local lockdown following a coronavirus spike in the city.
Infection prevention and control
Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a scientific approach and practical solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers. It is grounded in infectious diseases, epidemiology, social science and health system strengthening.
We are constantly ensuring that all care workers are up to date with online training with Infection prevention and control, as new practices and findings are being developed during the pandemic. Care Workers have online access to our policies and procedures that are constantly being updated.
Rivendell continues to have a good source of PPE (personal protective equipment) including; gloves, face masks, hand sanitizers, aprons and face shields, which are a one use item when carrying out different tasks at a service user. We ask each care worker for a weekly stock update to ensure that there is a constant supply.
Covid-19 and the use of gloves
As part of the guidance from Public Health England in relation to coronavirus gloves must be:- Worn when in direct contact with a Service User whether they have symptoms of COVID-19 or not
- Worn when you are within two metres of someone who is coughing, whether providing direct care to them or not
- Worn when providing direct care, such as assisting a Service User to get in and out of bed, feeding, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting, dressing etc.
- Worn when unintended contact is likely i.e. due to challenging behaviour
- Worn when shielding a Service User defined as vulnerable by Public Health England
- Changed after completion of a procedure or task
- Changed if a perforation or puncture is suspected
- Appropriate for use, fit for purpose and well-fitting
- Put on properly (donned) and taken off properly (doffed)
- Disposed of in either clinical waste where this is available or, in the case of use for Service Users with symptoms of COVID-19, double bagged and left in a safe location for 72 hours
- Worn when exposure to blood and/or other body fluids, non-intact skin or mucous membranes is anticipated or likely as per standard infection control procedures outside a pandemic
- Disposable gloves are single use and must be disposed of immediately after completion of a procedure or task and after each Client, followed by hand hygiene. Care must be taken not to touch the face, mouth or eyes when wearing gloves.
COVID-19 Uniform Care- Wash uniforms and clothing worn at work at the hottest temperature suitable for the fabric
- A wash for 10 minutes at 60ºC removes almost all micro-organisms
- Washing with detergent at lower temperatures – down to 30ºC – eliminates MRSA and most other micro-organisms, including coronaviruses
Staff Testing- Testing for all essential workers and their household, who have developed symptoms of the coronavirus, will now take place to support staff to return to work where the test is negative.
- Staff can book a test online directly via the online ‘arrange a test’ form or Rivendell Care & Support can register and refer self-isolating staff, this can be discussed with your line manager when staff sickness is reported. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested#arrange-a-test
- Tests consist of a regional test site drive-through appointment or a home test kit can be selected. Home test kit availability will initially be limited but more will become available.
-
Ensuring that immunisations are up to date
It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection; the NHS is still continuing to provide this service. If you think you are due a vaccine, please contact your GP. This could include: Pneumococcal (PPV) vaccine, Flu vaccine or Shingles vaccine.
We highly recommend that our Service Users and Care Workers continue to have regular health check ups.
Government Guidelines for the most vulnerable
We suggest continuing to follow the Government guidelines especially for over 70 year-olds and vulnerable people.
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#parents-and-schools-with-clinically-extremely-vulnerable - Wearing Face Masks from the 24th July
Wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is to become mandatory from 24 July.
Those who fail to comply with the new rules will face a fine of up to £100, the government has announced.
Children under 11 and those with certain disabilities will be exempt.
The list of exemptions has not yet been published, but the rules for face masks on public transport exempt anyone who cannot wear one “because of any physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability”, who would experience “severe distress” from doing so, or relies on lip reading, among other reasons.
Rivendell will continue to monitor this on a regular basis and update you accordingly.
If there is anything else we can help you with please do not hesitate to contact the office.
Our very best wishes,
The Rivendell Care and Support Team
Juliette, Joshua, Camille and Pallavi
- Covid update
COVID-19 has been a huge challenge for the care sector, and the last few months have been something never experienced before.
Social care has been at the forefront of the UK’s struggle against COVID-19.
Unlike other areas of the economy, unable to pause or to work in relative comfort at home. Care providers, from executives and owners, through to care workers themselves, have continued to keep these vital services operational.
Countless frontline heroes have and continue to go way above and beyond reasonable expectations of their duties, to keep the people they care for safe, well and as happy as possible in the current circumstances.
There have been some universal challenges within the care sector. One of these, as you can imagine is sourcing a good supply of PPE (personal protective equipment). Rivendell can proudly say that we have always had a good supply with reliable sources and you should be reassured that our main priority was to make sure we continue to keep our service users and care workers safely protected at all times.
The other major challenge I personally feel that has arisen in this crazy time is the concept of ‘shielding’ and the wanting and missing of family members and friends. It is so unnatural for the human race to not be greeted with a handshake, a hug or even a kiss from a family member or grandchild.
When much of the country is now returning to some level of normality, with high street stores re-opening and restrictions on socialising being relaxed ever further. Many care providers like Rivendell are in the same position and will be asking how and to what extent they too should prepare for a return to normality.
For the meantime, we are still following government guidelines. If you are over 70 or vulnerable we would ask for you to still respect the ‘shielding’ process.
People classed as clinically extremely vulnerable are advised to take additional action to prevent themselves from coming into contact with the coronavirus (COVID-19). If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, you’re strongly advised to stay at home as much as possible and keep visits outside to a minimum (for instance once per day).
The current ‘Shielding’ advice is:
1. If you wish to spend time outdoors (though not in other buildings, households, or enclosed spaces) you should take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping 2 metres apart.
2. If you choose to spend time outdoors, this can be with members of your own household or you may choose to spend time outdoors with one person from another household (ideally the same person each time).
3. You should stay alert when leaving home: washing your hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitiser, maintaining social distance and avoiding gatherings of any size.
4. You should not attend any gatherings, including gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example, parties, weddings and religious services.
5. You should strictly avoid contact with anyone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19 (a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, sense of taste or smell).
6. Although single adult households can form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable are advised not to be part of a support bubble.
The government is currently advising people to shield until 31 July 2020, but gradually easing protection advice in the interim period, and is regularly monitoring this position.
If you are wondering ‘would I or a family member fall into this category?’ You can follow this up to date link from the government website. 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#parents-and-schools-with-clinically-extremely-vulnerable
Of course Rivendell will monitor this on a regular basis and update you accordingly.
We truly hope for a brighter future where we will all reach some sort of normality again and we really appreciate your cooperation and patience in keeping you and your loved ones safe.
Our very best wishes,
The Rivendell Care and Support Team
Juliette, Joshua and Camille
- Further interesting links/articles:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-53248660?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_custom3=BBC+News&at_custom4=4F32F866-BBAE-11EA-8FE6-3217933C408C&at_medium=custom7&at_campaign=64&at_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&at_custom2=facebook_page&fbclid=IwAR3JdpGCKjPobLlk5pY90ZcY-UmQ0W23ogcYVE6yTqmbqM_Quu8yQUQ4-ZM
(03/07/2020) - Rivendell Care updates around Covid-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic there have been many changes made to our day-to-day running’s at Rivendell. You maybe aware that we have had a zero policy on family members visiting service users that live outside of the home unless you have been completely shielding.
We understand that this is a sensitive and uneasy situation but believe keeping our service users, as well as care workers protected is of the upmost importance. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this surreal situation that we are all going through. (03/06/2020)
UPDATE: We have had zero COVID-19 cases for our service users, this has been managed by strict hand hygiene and by all of our care workers having updated ‘Infection Control’ refresher training, good supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) which has included gloves, face masks, aprons and full face shields. New uniforms have been issued to our care workers, which will help assist in infection control. This has only been possible from the strict measures carried out by both our clients/families and care workers.
One Rivendell care worker has had COVID-19, with no symptoms. How did we deal with this? We arranged for the service user to be immediately tested from home and thankfully was tested negative of the virus. All care workers working with this particular client and on the same team were asked to wear full PPE, which included a hasmat suit.
Shopping: During the pandemic we have been offering an additional service to go food shopping for those unable to arrange this themselves. This includes going to supermarkets or arranging meals on wheels. If this is something that you would be interested in please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange this.
Limited availability: We have limited availability in the North West London area if you are interested in receiving care or increasing your care hours. Please get in touch for more information – 02084347380 (20/06/2020)
Useful links
Whilst we do our best to ensure that the information on this page is up-to-date we recommend visiting the following pages to see the most recent guidance published:
CQC INSIGHT REPORT
NHS Covid-19 INFORMATION
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
WHO AND HOW TO GET TESTED
TEST AND TRACE
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
KINDNESS, CARING & COVID19
STAYING SAFE OUTSIDE YOUR HOME
CORONAVIRUS DATA
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk
COVID SYMPTOMS
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/#symptoms
