Information & Advice

Guidance regarding Covid-19 is everchanging so we advise all of our clients and carers to visit the following websites for the most current information about it:

a) https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

b) https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

c) https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1

Current guidelines state that anyone who develops symptoms should self isolate and be tested. This applies to carers as well as clients. Please see the Government website for booking of tests: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

We are aware of the anxiety and burden that the pandemic and restrictions are causing our all elderly clients. They may be feeling very isolated, alone and depressed due to lack of every day contact such as visits from family and friends. We advise all of our live in carers to be mindful of this and ask them to ensure that they are looking after their client’s mental as well as physical wellbeing.

The latest government advice is that people should work from home as much as possible, meet in groups of 6 people or less, and should adhere to any local lockdowns (depending on where they live in the UK)

Before the lockdown in March 2020, the Government had already recommended that those over the age of 70 should isolate in their homes for 12 weeks. They were still advised to exercise and leave home for essential items/medical appointments.

We would suggest that, as we continue the pandemic and with the winter months approaching, our elderly vulnerable clients should try their best to adhere to the isolation guidance. Their live in carer should be able to obtain any shopping as required.

Handwashing for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser should take place regularly.
Avoid face to face contact with people as much as possible. The use of phones, computers, tablets should be encouraged as a way to keep in touch with loved ones.

It is not a requirement for carers to have a covid-19 test prior to starting a placement. In fact, latest government guidelines state that only those with symptoms or who meet other strict criteria should get tested. Before starting a placement, we will ask all carers to confirm that they have not experienced any covid symptoms, not come into contact with people who have had symptoms or a positive test and we will also confirm that they have adhered to the quarantine requirements that relate to foreign travel.

Essential workers in social care are eligible for coronavirus testing. However, there are not always spare tests available in different areas of the country. This may change as testing and time taken for results improves. If a client is happy to proceed, a carer is still be able to start their placement without having taken a test.

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

a) high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back. You will feel like you have a fever.

b) new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

c) a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

D) You may also experience shortness in breath.

E) Many who test positive have no symptoms: UK Government Coronavirus study

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The 2019 novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not been seen in humans until now.

The virus has been detected in most countries around the world. COVID-19 is the name for the disease caused by the coronavirus. The World Health Organization named the virus on 11th February 2020.