Jan Gibbs, Home Manager at Marham House believes the key to its success is proving person centred care. “We want it to be a home where residents may need some care or support with daily living, but can be free to live their lives, it is somewhere you might choose to live – it is a straight swap, home from home. We want people to carry on with their lives the way they would if they were at home.” We sat down with Jan to discuss her advice for caring and protecting your elderly loved one during coronavirus.

You were previously the manager at another outstanding Care Home, what is the reason you moved to Marham House?

I have been very fortunate in that I have been able to manage homes and improve their CQC ratings. I live a short distance away from

Marham house, it is part of our local community. It is important to me that our home becomes part and involved with local residents and their families.

Are Care Homes safe during COVID?

It was really important to us that our residents, staff and visitor’s safety was paramount at all times. We have continued to be COVID-19 free since opening in March 2020.

We implemented additional infection control measures so that we could reduce the risk of infection transmission and cross infection.

We have provided our staff with new work attire (scrubs) so that we can launder on site.

We have been able to stock plenty supplies of PPE.

Staff have received additional infection control training.

Our staff and residents are swabbed routinely in line with government guidelines.

We isolate residents on admission following the guidelines published at that time.

We receive regular updates from government, and regulatory and NHS organisations.

Can I visit my relative?

Following government guidelines we have implemented a strict visitor programme. Those who are eligible to visit contact the home to arrange a date and time.

We have allotted visiting times so that resident mealtimes are protected. Each visit can last up to an hour. We have dedicated visiting rooms, access to which is external.

What are you doing to protect the residents?

We COVID screen our residents and staff regularly. Our home is designed and built over 3 floors. We are able to divide our home should we need to isolate any residents.

Staff wear scrubs which are laundered on site. We have plenty of PPE. Staff have received additional infection control training.

We have restricted family visiting with designated visiting rooms, with allocated dates and times for visiting. Visitors rooms are cleaned after each visit and PPE and washing facilities replenished after each visit. We have a designated lift for our residents and designated entrance for deliveries and hospital transport.

How can I communicate with my loved one during this lockdown time?

We have a designated phone for residents to receive family calls on. We also have Skype, Whatsapp, Facetime facilities.

How do I find out what is happening to my loved one? How can I be involved in my loved ones care?

There is always a Deputy Manager and or Senior carer on duty who will be able to provide you with an update and discuss your loved ones ongoing care plans if they are not able to do that for themselves. We have implemented a scheme called resident of the day. This is where we focus on that resident and review their care plans and ensure that these are discussed with the resident and their families members if appropriate. It provides an opportunity for you to see how they are progressing and offer further insight into their needs.