Read more in Activities , Care homes , Community , Spotlight , Victory
Record breaking care home visitors this Christmas!
Published: Friday 31st December 2021
We welcomed a record-breaking 1114 care home visitors during Christmas week (20-26 December), following strongly on from 1004 visitors in the week before.
Visits to our care homes, of which we have over 20 nationwide, are treasured by our residents, their loved ones and our care teams. Care home visits mean that family and friends can maintain contact and life-long relationships with their loved ones; and contribute to their support and care. Our care home managers welcome visits in line with latest guidance, and do so in a risk-managed, safe and flexible manner.
Kevin Hunt, who visited his mother Tina at our Blenheim Care Home, said:
The home looked lovely very Christmassy; all the residents enjoyed themselves and there were plenty of glasses of wine and sherry, which was nice to see. It was a lovely ambience. My wife and I are always made to feel very welcome, not just at Christmas but every day.
Mum Tina added:
I like Kevin coming to see me, he has his own family but he always has time for me. I’m very lucky to have such a wonderful family. I received lots of letters, cards and gifts at Christmas. Seeing my son on Christmas Day was lovely.
At all our homes we are staying vigilant to ensure that our residents are kept as safe as possible, not just from Covid, but from anything that may affect their health, happiness and well-being. Agincare Homes Chief Operating Officer Tim Buckley said:
We know just how important social interaction is to the well-being of our residents. That’s why throughout the pandemic we’ve embraced visits to our care homes wherever possible, and are committed to carrying on doing just that.
Linda Gillett and her partner Barry Wills also visited Blenheim Care Home to see Linda’s mother Betty on Christmas Day, she said:
Christmas Day was beautiful, mum was really happy. It’s our first Christmas without mum being at home. All the staff here are really lovely and the home is so clean, the care is amazing, we want mum to stay here permanently and she wants to stay here as well.
Betty came from hospital and initially, we thought the home was too far from where we live and we would find somewhere nearer; but we wouldn’t change where she is for the world.
Betty added:
Christmas day was quite nice, the food was very good. My family came to see me and we had a lovely time, in fact I had a really good time, I don’t want to go home.
Welcoming Essential Care Givers
Every care home resident is supported to have an identified Essential Care Giver who may visit to offer companionship and/ or help with care needs. They should also be able to visit the care home should there be a period of Covid outbreak. We value and encourage Essential Carers Givers. Their ongoing frequent visits of support remain such an important part of life in our care homes. We fully support the spirit of John’s Campaign, a team with whom we closely work, and for whom our Chief Executive Raina Summerson is an Ambassador.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the care home manager about making visits work for you now and into 2022, or if you have any questions about the care we deliver.
