Private nursing home protect elderly

Private nursing homes across the country are limiting visiting hours, demanding travel histories and in some cases facilitating online interaction between residents and their relatives amid the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic.

Managers of the elderly care facilities tell Barbados TODAY they have been closely following guidelines and directives outlined by the Government aimed at protecting the demographic identified as most vulnerable.

Andrea Johnson, owner of Akhazia Nursing Home at Cliff Meadows in St John revealed that separate meetings were held with residents and relatives over the weekend to announce that visiting periods would be restricted to once daily.

“I told them the time may come when I limit it further and they may only be allowed to come for one hour or maybe even half an hour, but we will do the best we can,” Johnson told Barbados TODAY.

“I even told them that we will try to facilitate video calling for those persons who have cell phones for any anxiety the patient may experience as a result. There isn’t much more we can do besides let people know what we have to do and how we’re doing it,” she added.

The elderly-care professional explained that it was difficult explaining to some residents why they would no longer see their relatives as often as they are accustomed but for the most part, persons have been understanding.

Jennifer Francis, Owner of Alicia’s Senior Citizens Home has been stockpiling aprons, masks, and sanitisers. She has also instructed staff to inquire about the travel history of visitors and deny entry to those who have travelled in the last two weeks or are exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

The home has also requested that church groups which visit regularly stop conducting meetings until further notice.

“We must protect the persons in this home and so we have told church groups that they cannot come in at this time to conduct meetings and so forth until we get a further notice on what we should do,” said Francis.

At a Christ Church facility that houses 13 residents, a notice has been placed on the property which states that until further notice, only family members will be allowed to visit.

“…and if you have a cold, cough, temperature, have travelled or have been in connection with persons who have travelled within the last two weeks, you are not allowed to visit,” said an official managing the home.

The manager, who did not want to bed identified, indicated that so far visitors and potential visitors have been very willing to comply.

Amid the uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic, older people, particularly those with underlying medical conditions account for the highest number of fatalities.

Ministry of Health officials last week ordered an end to all visits by groups, including churches, schools, and service organisations at its geriatric facilities, until further notice.

It also restricted visits by relatives and friends between 4 and 6 p.m. daily while asking anyone experiencing sore throat, cough, runny nose or fever to stay away from visiting a geriatric hospital.
kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb