Berkhamsted care home residents reunited with loved ones

As national lockdown restrictions begin to ease across the UK, residents at a care home in Berkhamsted have happily begun receiving indoor visits from loved ones.

Care home residents are now allowed to be visited indoors by a single, named individual as part of the Prime Minister’s roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions.

The news has been well received at Kilfillan House Bupa Care Home, in Berkhamsted, with visitors able to see residents in their rooms.

Rebecca Pearson, operations director for the care home, said: “We understand how important time with loved ones is for our residents’ happiness and wellbeing, so we’re delighted to restart these visits.

“We know how much it means for families to hold hands, and the tremendous lift this gives everyone.

"Families are a big part of our community, so we really pleased to be carefully reintroducing these visits again.”

Indoor visits will be managed safely in line with national government guidance.

Each resident can receive one nominated visitor, who will need to complete a lateral flow test that shows negative before the visit. Guests will also be provided the necessary PPE by the care home.

Visits will also be arranged in advance to manage the volume of people in the home in line with social distancing guidelines.

The restrictions issued by the Government last year required all care homes to follow strict guidelines on visiting, particularly as elderly residents are some of the most vulnerable to the virus.

While guidance prevented face-to-face visits, Kilfillan House has been working hard keep families connected during the pandemic.

The home has installed a new warm and comfortable visiting pod fitted with screens to manage infection control. It also offers window visits and regular phone and video calls to help families stay connected.

Rebecca added: “We have put in place a range of visiting options in line with guidelines so that families can stay connected, whilst keeping residents safe.

"We’ll continue with all of these, so residents can see more of their loved ones.

“Our teams have worked so hard, and I’m so proud of all our people who have been such heroes over the past year. They’ve shown professionalism, compassion and kindness and gone above and beyond to make residents smile.

“We know the past year has been difficult for families too, missing contact with loved ones as well as wanting us to keep them safe. Their support, trust and understanding has been hugely appreciated by us all.”

Kilfillan House Bupa Care Home is welcoming anyone seeking care. To arrange a visit, relatives can contact the home directly.