Our care homes in Hayling Island are welcoming family visits
After almost four months in lockdown, the teams at our care homes in Hayling Island – Gorseway Manor Care Home and Gorseway Nursing Home – are grateful to start returning a level of normality to daily life for their residents.
A stable care team
Staff who had been self-isolating have now returned to work, meaning there’s a strong and stable care team at both homes. There’s a weekly testing regime for staff and residents are tested monthly, or if they show COVID-19 symptoms. Sixty antibody tests have also been carried out.
The teams have really pulled together to support and care for their residents during the coronavirus outbreak, while adhering to strict hygiene, infection control and PPE protocols.
They have found new ways for residents to keep in touch with families, friends and the outside world. Residents who had never used a mobile phone before have embraced making WhatsApp and video calls, with the support of the care team.
The benefits of a garden during lockdown
During lockdown the stunning Koi carp fishpond, sensory garden and lawned gardens at our Hayling Island care homes have given staff and residents plenty of space to get outside.
Being a stone’s throw from the Hampshire coast means that the Gorseway site enjoys a mild climate. The gardens really came into their own during the warm and sunny days of spring in early lockdown. With a well-stocked garden, there’s always a sunny or shady spot to sit in and enjoy watching Gorseway’s wildlife.
Families looking for dementia care homes in Hayling Island will be particularly interested in the sensory garden on the Gorseway site. The secure garden has been planted with colourful scented flowers, tactile vegetation and a vegetable plot to stimulate all the senses.
New guidelines for family visits
Having such a beautiful and spacious garden means that the homes can now welcome pre-booked family visits outside, albeit at a safe distance of at least 2m, and with a few stipulations to minimise the risk.
These new guidelines for family visits include limiting visits to an hour, so we can give as many people as possible valuable time with their family.
There is also a limit of two people per visit, and at the moment, we are asking visitors not to bring children under 13 with them.
Read about all the new family visit guidelines.
Managing our nursing and care homes in Hayling Island
The registered manager of our residential care homes in Hayling Island, Naomi Edge, arrived towards the end of 2019 to lead and develop the Gorseway teams.
Noami is supported by deputy manager Colette Knight, who joined the Gorseway team at the beginning of June. Colette and Naomi previously worked together at another Hampshire residential home, and know that they make a strong care home management team together.
Naomi said:
I’ve been so impressed by the positive attitude of the team here, especially during the coronavirus outbreak. We’re so grateful for the support of families, friends and our local community. Messages have arrived at the homes and have been sentthrough the Hayling webpage.
And we’ve had lots of heartfelt donations, from the Hayling Helpers and other local and national groups and companies. Face masks, chocolate and even laptops and an espresso machine – they’ve all been very much appreciated.
While we’re definitely not complacent we do feel like we’re turning a corner. Thank you to everyone who’s supported us through this unprecedented time.
