Residents and staff at Meadowlark and Cathay Care homes keeping safe and happy
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RESIDENTS and staff at local care homes are doing their best to keep moral up during the coronavirus lockdown.
Renaissance Care's Meadowlark on Mannachie Road and privately-run Cathay at St Leonard's Road, with a total maximum occupancy of 98 people, are subject to clinical safety guidance, including monitoring for symptoms, social distancing and shielding, permitting only essential visits, restricting residents to their own rooms for as long as possible, handwashing between contacts and use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
However, implementing the measures can make residents increasingly immobile with a higher risk of falls, lower moods and boredom.
Renaissance Care managing director Kirstene Feenan confirmed the company is working closely with Scottish Care, following Health Protection Scotland's guidance to protect residents and staff.
She said: "We are doing everything we can to ensure our staff have the equipment, resource and support required to provide essential care for vulnerable residents. These are challenging times and our workforce are feeling the impact, however we really are seeing the very best of our people, and I could not be prouder of the people who work within our homes."
Ms Feenan assured families that Renaissance staff have been doing an "incredible" job to ensure the continued health, safety and happiness of their residents.
She said: "From FaceTime calls with families and special activities prepared for the residents to ensure wellbeing during lockdown, to back-to-back shifts, the staff are working tirelessly to keep spirits high."
Ms Feenan did not confirm whether or not Meadowlark, like care homes across the country, is short of PPE. And it is also not yet known if anyone there has contracted the virus.
She added: "During this time, simply leaving the house to come to work and face the unknown is an act of heroism. Our people are facing their own fears of wanting to protect their loved ones whilst desperately wanting to care for residents who feel like their second family."
There have been no reported cases of staff or residents with coronavirus at Cathay Care Home.
A spokesperson said: "We are all upbeat and happy. We acted quickly and closed our doors to visitors before we had to. We keep in touch with residents' families via an e-newsletter and other means, making sure everyone is kept up-to-date."
