One in four say care home staff have left their families to move in with residents during lockdown

One in four say care home staff have left their families to move in with residents during lockdown, to shield them from potential exposure to the coronavirus, according to a study by the UK’s leading care home review website, carehome.co.uk.

A total of 2,867 care home owners, managers and staff responded to carehome.co.uk’s questions in just over 24 hours.

The survey found that 47 per cent of care home staff said they are still accepting new residents, with 26 per cent of staff saying their care home had gone into full lockdown with care staff moving in with residents to minimise the risk of them getting COVID-19.

A total of 32 per cent of staff said they feel they need support with their mental health to help them cope with their experiences during the pandemic.

Despite the unprecedented challenges care home staff are currently facing, more than three in four surveyed said staff morale ranged from satisfactory to good to excellent. Staff also shared the many ways they are keeping residents entertained during lockdown. Activities ranged from making decorations for a 'freedom' party for when the pandemic is over, to 'doorway bingo' where residents play the much-loved game from the safety of their room.

Care home staff are making 'incredible' sacrifices

A spokesperson for carehome.co.uk, said: “The sacrifices that care home staff are making at the moment are incredible. To think that a quarter of them are leaving their families, and many of them are parents with young children, so they can care for our elderly is truly humbling.

“They are working long hours and risking their own health. The pandemic’s impact on care homes means care workers have been pushed into the spotlight and people in the UK are finally starting to realise the valuable work they do. We hope that when this is over, some good will come out of it and the government will begin to value care workers and give them the status they deserve.”

Care homes are also doing their utmost to boost the morale of care home staff while on lockdown with some offering pizzas and wine, while others are offering counselling, support and wellness packages. One care home has even doubled their staff’s salary in March and is paying for a holiday in Cornwall for them.

Staff from The White House in Teignmouth, Devon moved in with residents four weeks ago

They took the decision to move in because they realised they would not be able to guarantee social distancing as all their residents have dementia.

Demelza Lamport Coles, registered manager said that it was the care assistants who fronted the idea of moving into the care home:

“A lot of the staff came to me collectively and said I think this is something we should consider.”

This sacrifice by the staff at The White House care home has meant they are unable to go home and see their own families, with many making arrangements for other family members to take care of their children.

The residents all seem a lot calmer

Katie Smith has only started working as a care assistant at the home recently. She was nervous about the lockdown, but she is remaining very positive:

“The positive of us all being here is the residents all seem a lot calmer. Seeing the same faces each day has made a massive difference.

“The thing that keeps me going is the staff and the residents, because it’s just like one big family living together.”

Sorelle Martin, domestic and maintenance co-ordinator at The White House care home echoed this, saying: “We all try and keep each other’s morale up - the residents have fun with us as well. They seem very calm, the majority of them are eating better.”

'Heartwarming' to see staff put their needs before the residents

The team at The White House care home have organised video calls to connect residents with their families.

Tushar Shah, director of Centrum Group, which runs The White House care home in Teignmouth, said: “During this crisis, it has been heart-warming to see our staff put the needs of our residents ahead of their own and moving into the care home to self-isolate.

“The crisis is a challenge for all of us, however those living with dementia will not be able to understand the concept of social distancing and self-isolation. The only way the staff could protect and care for our residents was to move in with them. What has been really positive is how the lock-in to the home has allowed the residents and carers to develop a stronger bond.

“We always knew that care staff were superheroes, but this pandemic has brought the best out of all key workers in society. For this, our residents, their families and local community are really grateful for their sacrifice and dedication.”

The White House care home made a Youtube video on the whole experience

Staff at Park House have moved in with residents on a rota basis

Staff at Park House care home in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire have also moved in with the residents, with its owner Edward Broadway, saying: “We have a rota system in place where the staff are moving in for a week and then self-isolating for the week when they are at home. My wife Gill is the manager and she has also moved in with them. We felt it was the right thing to do to protect the residents. We are on a complete lockdown with no one going in or out.

“Our residents are so important to us. We didn’t think twice about it. The staff have been brilliant. There were a few who were unable, due to circumstances at home to join the scheme, so they have been furloughed.”

The survey by carehome.co.uk also found that nine in 10 care home staff say government should be doing more to source PPE, with 94 per cent of care home staff saying the government should be doing more to test residents and workers

A total of 92 per cent of care home staff think the government should be stepping up efforts to find and deliver Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to care homes.

The survey ran from 15/04/20 until 16/04/20 and had 2,867 responses. Full details of the questions referenced can be found below.

Are you accepting new residents during the pandemic?

Yes 47.37% No 36.93% Don't know 15.71%

Are there members of your staff in full time isolation with residents at your care home in order to minimise the risk of passing on COVID-19?

Yes 25.64% No 66.79% Unsure 7.57%

Care home staff are going through a demanding time both emotionally and physically. How do you rate staff morale in your home?

Excellent 16.67% Good 35.54% Satisfactory 24.38% Poor 16.95% Very Poor 6.45%

Do you feel you need support with your mental health due to the experiences you are going through during the pandemic?

Yes 32.39% No 52.78% Unsure 14.83%

Have you received sufficient quantities of PPE?

Yes: 35.12% No: 53.51% Don’t know: 11.37%

Do you feel the PPE you have received is safe and offers enough protection?

Yes: 28.95% No: 59.05% Don’t know: 12.00%

Do you believe the government should be doing more to help care homes source PPE?

Yes: 92.08% No: 3.94% Don’t know: 3.98%

Do you think the government should have done more/be doing more to help care homes test clients and staff?

Yes: 94.35% No: 2.79% Unsure: 2.86%

Have you had access to testing for staff?

Yes: 13.22% No: 80.01% Unsure: 6.77%

Have you had access to testing for residents?

Yes: 12.84% No: 75.44% Don’t know: 11.72%

Do you have residents with suspected (but not confirmed) COVID-19?

Yes: 41.65% No: 46.60% Don’t know: 11.75%

Do you have residents with confirmed COVID?

Yes: 27.55% No: 60.52% Don’t know: 11.93%

Do you have staff with suspected (but not confirmed) Covid-19?

Yes: 44.26% No: 35.44% Unsure: 20.30%

Do you have staff with confirmed COVID-19?

Yes: 11.89% No: 62.26% Don’t know: 25.85%

What percentage of your staff have been unable to work due to the impact of COVID-19?

Average number: 29%

Are you worried about transmitting COVID-19 to your family when you go home after working in the care home?

Yes: 83.33% No: 14.13% Unsure: 2.55%

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