We are welcoming new residents at Elsyng House Care Home

If you are searching for a care home for your loved one, understandably, you will have concerns and questions around whether this is the right time to move them into a care home.

We have protocols and procedures in place to make sure any future new residents move into our home smoothly with robust processes and risk assessments in place. This ensures that we have everything in place to meet their needs and protect the residents and team members already in the home.

Our approaches to preventing Coronavirus have recently been recognised nationally by being shortlisted in the prestigious Laing Buisson Awards in the categories of ‘Outstanding response to COVID19’, ‘Management Excellence’ and ‘Small Residential Care Provider of the Year’.

Elsyng House Opening February 2021

As Elsyng House prepares to open its doors to residents, we want to reassure you and your loved ones that we are doing everything possible to provide a safe and comfortable, living and working environment, for all our residents and team members.

We know that searching for a care home during a pandemic will raise questions around coronavirus safety measures, visiting arrangements and infection control procedures. When you are seeking a care home, you can do so confidently with us.

We have listed some Q&As which we hope will help answer common questions you may have.

Can I visit your care home before I make a decision regarding my loved one?

Our Home Manager and team members will meet with you via a virtual introductory call to get to know you a little better. We offer safe onsite visits on our ground floor, which will need to be booked in advance via our booking system. You are very welcome to take any pictures whilst you are here.

Alternatively, you can take a virtual tour of the home, which will give you a full tour of our state-of-the-art facilities. Our team are happy to discuss our service with you and provide details of our care, hospitality, lifestyle and well-being offering.

If I visit, what safety measures do you have in place to keep me safe?

Moving into a care home is a big decision for you and your loved one, and the way in which some care homes have been affected by coronavirus may understandably make people worried about accessing the care and services they need. Rest assured, that we have implemented the highest standard of infection control measures that exceed Government guidelines to keep residents and team members as safe as possible.

Our measures include:

• Appropriate supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all team members and visitors
• Regular coronavirus testing for team members and residents to help keep our home free of infection
• Resident testing prior to move in and access to testing on a monthly basis or more frequent if desired
• Enhanced cleaning and advanced decontamination of visiting areas to provide anti-viral protection
• A COVID safe visiting facility where you can have face to face contact with your loved one
• Fresh Air exchange system
• Social distancing

As our home opens, we will facilitate visits according to Government guidelines. We have prepared a visiting room that is a warm and cosy space for residents and their families to meet. This room has a divider in it to prevent air exchange between visitors and residents and maintain social distancing, hand sanitising stations and PPE will also be available.

What will happen when a new resident moves in?

We want all our new residents to feel safe and welcome when they join our home as well as ensuring we keep other residents and staff safe. So, when new residents join our home, they will need to be supported in their chosen room for a period of 14 days, after which we can be confident that they are not infectious.

New residents joining us from their own home will be tested a few days prior to move in and can be tested again after move in.

New residents joining us from a hospital or other care facility will have a test in that location a few days prior to move in and the results will be shared with us.

We will do all we can to make this time as comfortable and welcoming as possible for new residents. They will have a dedicated care team that will take care of all their needs during this period.

Can your team members work in other care homes too?

Our homes employ people who work only for Oakland Care. We do not endorse staff working for other providers and conduct reviews to ensure this is not a risk. We do not use agency staff except in emergencies and have robust partnerships in place with agencies to supply COVID safe staff if such emergencies should arise.

Will I be able to visit my loved one? If so where and for how long?

Yes, you can visit your loved one safely in our visiting room. This room is divided into two halves with separate entrances to maintain social distance, hand sanitising stations and PPE are readily available. The visiting sessions can be booked in advance for a 30-minute session.

What else can you provide so I can stay in contact with my loved one?

We know how important it is for our residents to keep in touch with their families and friends, maintaining the continuity of their lifestyle prior to moving in.

Alternatively, a phone call is always as good!

Are GPs still visiting the home?

Healthcare professionals including GPs will continue to have access to our care home if required or via remote visits. They will be following our robust infection control measures and PPE will be provided for them to wear while seeing residents.

What updates will I receive about how my loved one is doing and what is happening in the home?

We recommend following our social media accounts, especially Facebook, where we regularly showcase the amazing activities taking place at the care home.  You can receive personal updates by speaking with our team who will agree with you how you would like to be kept up to date and how often.

What happens if a resident tests positive with Coronavirus?

At our care home we test team members and residents following Government guidelines. If someone tests positive for coronavirus, they will be immediately separated from other residents and cared for in their own room. Our carers will continue to care for them fully wearing PPE. All being well, they will make a full recovery, however, if their symptoms do not improve, they will be reviewed by the GP and if appropriate will be admitted to hospital.

What will happen if my loved one deteriorates and is on end of life care with regards to family visiting?

We recognise the importance of face to face visits for relatives and this is essential when people are reaching their last days of life. Our Home Manager will discuss this with you and complete a risk assessment aiming to facilitate bedside visits so that you can spend the time you need with your loved one safely. PPE will be provided by our care home.

As we prepare for the opening of our luxury care home in Enfield, please be reassured that we are doing everything possible to minimise the risk of infection from coronavirus. Our team members remain committed to the care and support of every new resident.

For more information about Elsyng House Care Home, please contact Julie Chanel at – clientrelations.eh@oaklandcare.com or call 020 8175 5100.