Care home visiting expansion “can’t come soon enough for residents”

News that care home residents could see up to three visitors from two households outdoors from Monday 10th August has been warmly welcomed by Age Scotland, the national charity for older people.

The move means that a care home will be able to permit the expansion of visiting if they have been COVID-free throughout the pandemic or if all affected residents have fully recovered and no residents or staff have had symptoms for 28 days. The home must also be actively participating in weekly staff testing. There will be strict criteria and infection control measures.

Age Scotland says that residents’ mental health and loneliness levels will be significantly improved by more face to face contact with their loved ones. It will also be of huge relief to family members who, at best, have only had one designated visitor or have been wholly reliant on video or voice calls to check in on their wellbeing and have a chat.

Adam Stachura, Age Scotland's head of policy and communications said:

“It’s fantastic news that more people may now be able to visit loved ones living in care homes. For months, residents have been coping and responding to coronavirus restrictions with extremely limited contact from family and friends, many doing so in semi isolation, which has had a significant impact on their mental and physical health, as well as increasing their levels of loneliness.

“The benefits to residents’ wellbeing after being able to see and interact with one visitor has been clear for all to see so for them this expansion can’t come soon enough. Now they may be able to see more of their children and grandchildren which will be a tremendous boost to them all.

“It’s been an incredibly hard time for care home residents and staff, who have very much been on the front line of this pandemic, and while safety for all concerned is paramount these measures may bring with them a return to some kind of much needed normality for those who really need it.”