What are you all up to
Comments
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Brue glad the farewell went as well as could be expected. One upside was the journey time. Hope they were able to cuddle up for warmth π whilst camping.
Yes not able to compare like for like with NZ but they appeared to have a plan. As far as I know, and have had reported by returners to large airports after commencement of lockdown, there were few staff, no checks, no requests to self isolate etc etc. Whilst it may not have cured the situation it may well have helped. Like all those thousands coming back after Spain closed down, into the country and travel home, no requirement to self isolate. Some will have been responsible others may not.
But we are where we are. We are going to have to learn to live with the virus and find a new normal. The unseen enemy.
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Glad to hear that all are fine and free from the virus at this time, Corners.
Hope that your finger is not too painful, TG, and that it doesn't take too long before it's better.
With many of the care homes being privately owned, surely it was remiss of the owners not to hold a large stock of PPE, as I'm sure that they will use it on a daily basis during normal times. They charge an awful lot of money from the people they care for in many cases and should have foreseen the need for lots of PPE, as such places are a natural breeding ground for the spread of any contagious disease, with residents being in such close contact with each other.
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Well what do you know? Missing replies are reinstated πππ not only on this thread but those recently started threads which suddenly lost all of theirs π
Looks like a nice morning, apparently going to be one of April showers.
Enjoy your day stay safe.
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Nellie
As I was about to say last night but was cut off in my prime!!!
I just wonder what PPE Care Homes actually use beyond gloves and aprons and maybe masks. I very much doubt they have a need on a day to day basis for the full kit we see in hospitals? I am sure many of them are now wishing they had stocked up PPE as they are now probably paying over the odds for it, when they can find it. The whole sector seems to have been taken by surprise by the impact of COVID 19, was that because they didn't get sufficient warning from the Government/NHS? I only hope that after all this is over we take a long hard look at Social Care and fund it properly even it that means we all have to pay a bit extra to achieve that.
David
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Corners I am pleased to hear that the testing system worked well and that you all came back negative. I hope everyone is feeling better.
As to Care Homes, my personal opinion is that the majority are privately owned and run and the relevant owners/managers should have made sure that they had enough PPE. Most of them charge a huge amount in fees so I feel that adequate provision should have been provided routinely. They do not come under the 'umbrella' of the NHS so work to their own rules and I think this should be investigated in the future.Testing of course is a different matter. I think it is appalling that after elderly residents had been admitted to hospital for whatever reason, they were then discharged without being tested for Covid19. I think everyone who is discharged from hospital should be tested before they are allowed to leave. Is this happening now?
OH used to use quite substantial face masks when working at Nene Valley Railway some years ago and has found a box with a couple of unused ones so that is him sorted for face masks for now. I shall have a go at making some cloth ones for myself. A medical friend of mine has suggested that the best way of cleaning and sterilising them after use is to hold them over the steam of a kettle. Much more effective than putting them through the washing machine.
Whilst clearing out our wardrobes yesterday I found a heated styling brush that I used to use years ago. If hairdressers are not allowed to return to work soon I might make use of it! When I was putting away the clothes that I am going to keep I wondered when on earth I am going to have the opportunity to wear them again.
.Is anyone else watching The Repair Shop on BBC1? It is wonderful..
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Care homes get inspected by CQC on a regular basis so I think inadequacies get pointed out. My Mum was in a not for profit home and all the money was ploughed back in but people like my Mum who had a good pension paid more to subsidise those with lower incomes etc. Plus a of of fund raising through the year. I always saw the staff appropriately dressed for the task in hand. I can't think how they are coping now as I know some places have been overwhelmed with ill residents and the sort of protective wear they need must have been beyond their realisation. I also remember outbreaks of illness at my Mum's home when the staff were ill too, being short staffed is another factor in these distressing times. I feel sad for all those who work in care homes, they've never got the recognition needed.
Just my thoughts and observations by the way.
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My Aunt 98 is in a Care Home, I have Power of Attorney, so I see the bills each month for payment, they are staggeringly high. It is a beautiful Home, like a five star hotel. The staff inform me that they had plenty of PPE already stored and have obtained more. They also tell me that the management have been very supportive throughout. Also unless already a resident the Home have fought tooth and nail to refuse to take anyone being discharged from hospital. So I would say that money talks. I don't think that some smaller less well off Homes had this much advantage. However, all this still didn't stop the virus. One resident has passed away and others are now infected.
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MillieH, I was watching The Repair Shop back when it was just a half hour 'filler' on BBC2 ! It's a very calm and calming programme -- all TV Channels should show more of them preferably in place of the cookery and house changing ones !!
Now that I've seen the Club has not collapsed totally into a local sink hole I will get back to domestic duties -- Brian hates ironing grrrrrrrrrrrrrr !
Back after lunch
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When you find a TV programme you enjoy it's a relief!
Saucepan banging night tonight, I think Thursdays will go down in the public memory during this crisis. I keep worrying I'll do it on a Wednesday by mistake.
(It is Thursday isn't it?....)We took in our Waitrose order today via our driveway and steps, delivery lad at the bottom in pouring rain telling us what was missing...still no baking flour. Then all the disinfecting, list checking, separating stuff for neighbours, delivery to their door etc. Shopping has changed dramatically!
Not doing anything just now, that's a change. Had a lovely whatsapp video call with youngest grandson last night, a tour of his room and latest acquisitions, he had built an enormous framed "thing" which he said he could sit in, it looked like scaffolding and took up most of the room.
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Please don't think I am criticising the care home staff in any way. Both OH's parent were in care homes and I know how dedicated and caring most of them are (on very low pay). It is the management companies that I think need to take more responsibility for what is happening at the moment. I know that the CQC inspect on a regular basis but I think in future a closer eye needs to be kept on the care home sector. What is happening at the moment is heartbreaking and I can see no end in sight for some time to come unfortunately.
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DK and Millie, totally agree with your comments about care homes.
We have been in contact with most in our town to see if they require the face shields, happy (in one way) to say that none of them require them.
The reports coming back from the homes are that they are in a good place as regards PPE.
Most care homes will stock aprons, gloves and masks as they require them for outbreaks off D&V, Norovirus and seasonal flu.
In the home my Mum was in and now OH's mum is in, they wear gloves and aprons when having to bath or change any of the residents even in normal times.
This care home is managed by an Ex Army Nursing officer, she has a wealth of experience with things like Ebola, barrier nursing etc. she has a strict regime for all the staff entering and leaving the home.
They have 2 rooms set a side one for arrivals and one for leaving. Staff have to enter and remove their outdoor clothes and put on a uniform, leaving is then done in the other room and the reverse process is undertaken.
They closed the home to visitors many weeks before lockdown.
Chilly day here today but we did get a good light rain overnight and the garden is now lovely and wet.
Went out for food shopping this morning for us my neighbour and my sister. Saw lots more cars on the A9 than has been for the last 5 weeks.
Sitting here catching up on CT, saw yet again another abuse of the 'free food parcel to the vulnerable' one of our neighbours is guardian for her 2 grandchildren, both of them are under the shielding category.
When lock down started she was very 'annoyed' that she was not to go out for 12 weeks and had to 'shield' the children (2 & 5 years of age) over the weeks we have seen little to no evidence of 'shielding' taking place. Family members are everyday popping in to them, her teenage son comes and goes just like normal. Food shopping is going on just like normal, yet today the council came and provided them with 6 large carrier bags of 'free food' within minutes along came another of her elder sons, yes you've got it he came out of the house with 3 of the 'free food' bags.
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We went for our walk earlier than normal, as my weather App is showing 60 / 90% chance of rain this afternoon. Reasonably pleasant, an odd glimpse of the sun but mostly cloudy. Came across the English Longhorn eco warriors on the Heath. Apparently they returned from winter quarters on Monday and were tucking into the gorse. Their mouths must be armour plated.π
Up until about 15 years or so ago this heathland was used by the MOD as a non live fire training area, mainly for the Territorial Army. On many a night it got fairly noisy with small arms fire and the occasional flash bang grenade. As a result there was a lot less human intervention over the years than there would have been. The area is now managed as a wildlife reserve by the RSPB.
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I know that the CQC inspect on a regular basis but I think in future a closer eye needs to be kept on the care home sector.
Hi millie, I have been looking at a few of the comments and just wanted to say that the average person, with no direct experience of what actually happens, may be somewhat surprised and disappointed in how the CQC operate.
Certainly the visits may be regular but they are not frequent. I have experience of both local authority and private homes and, sad to say, you can get good and bad homes in both sectors.
One of the companies that I worked for has premises that are, as someone else mentioned, like 5 star hotels and they come with all the trappings and these cost. and one of my clients who is part of an organisation representing care homes has said that it is now some time since there was a home that did not charge more than the council will pay for those unable to fund their own care.
The council will tell you that they are only able to pay what they get through central government and so it goes around.
Will it change, I very much doubt it.
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Red Letter day here in the Wherenext household.
Went online only to be refused a click and collect spot from Tesco, so nothing new there. Off handedly tried the delivery slots and, as Mrs WN says in her Lancashire accent," Dropped Court Leg". A slot, available!!!!
Did my eyes deceive me? Rub, Rub. NO. They did not. Grab it quick, oh bugger, pressed the wrong button, how do I get bacK, oh hell on wheels, oh there it is. Don't you go anywhere! Please, please..... YES.
Added an expensive bottle of wine to celebrate.
Oh how small things can bring such joy into ones life. It's so sad.
Only have another fortnight to wait now. It's like Christmas.
Had a lovely walk today for an hour or so (don't tell anyone about the "so"). Bit windy but warm. Washing didn't last long on the line before the showers came.
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Thanks for this allanandjean. It is good to have some information from someone who has experience of the care home sector. I honestly dont think that most elderly people want 5* hotel type accomodation, they want a kind, caring and safe environment. We took my FIL to look round a 5* type of home and he hated it. Instead we found him a lovely small independly owned and run home where he was very happy.
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Gosh this makes me so angry TG. π‘What an abuse of the system, especially when then there are so many people in real need. Your local care home sounds wonderful. It should be the same in all care homes and hospitals. I have been concerned in recent years to see some care sector staff/ district nursing staff still in their uniforms in public. We have seen several in the school playground collecting their children. What about infection control?
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Refuse collection day, naturally it's windy, as it so often is on refuse days! So folks plastic bags, containing plastic recycling, blowing down and across the road π€. Despite handles on provided bags many folk don't tie them so contents come out when they topple regardless of any wind! Neither do they anchor them down. Been out and cleared up outside our house and up and down 2 houses each side of the road. Tied those offending bags having included the pick ups. And watched a delivery driver aim for and drive over one scattering the contents, he went past laughing. Just a white van so can't report π€.
Upside was a chat with neighbours further up the road as they passed on their constitutional, at a safe distance - can't share secrets at the moment or gossip about neighbours ππ€£. They were in their way back and saying about blowing plastic, but these days you can't just pick it up as you used to just in case! I was wearing my rubber gloves once again, they seem to be my best accessory these days. Good wash in the bleach solution that is also a new feature, wash with soap and water, dry before removal.
Just listening to the council cutting the grass on the open space behind us.
Trying to rain on and off, last day of April and we finally have April showers.
Just finishing some more masks, got it sussed now and out of elastic!
Milliehull steaming them is a great way of cleaning, I'd thought I'd have to use a saucepan to wash them at a higher temperature. A great example of this forum π
Load of post again today, have to lay it in the conservatory for a day or 2 before I can open. Club magazine came yesterday, I just recycled it, it came in a paper envelope so dead easy π, as we no longer have motorhome and cant go anywhere anyway!
When I hear what the council contribute for a care home guest compared to a privately funded guest I'm outraged. The private guest, who has probably saved and gone without, subsidising those who may have partied and holidayed - I worked with just one of those! Favourite expression they can't leave you on the streets π€. Not forgetting that some owners are in for profit not care oriented. My uncle's is family owned but is pricey and no nursing care. Luckily only other experience of care home was 40 years ago and I don't think things were as far apart as they are now. Yes I've heard CQC tales. To me the clue is in the name care, most older folk don't want ultra modern and 5 star, their homes were probably furnished of their era so modern is alien to them. Its atmosphere cleanliness and care they need. Tammygirl the one you talk about sounds great.
I too have noticed far more uniforms, nurses, care assistants, physios, speech therapists etc being worn everywhere. Cross contamination anywhere and everywhere π€
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You see them in uniforms because they have to wash them at home. Years ago everything got washed in the laundry on the premises. Was it a money saving idea to expect people to launder their own? I wonder how often they get washed, maybe better not to think about it.
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My late sister S E N , worked at Barony Hospital in Nantwich. She always wore 2 Uniforms every day -- one to go to and from work and t'other to wear AT work. Not her idea but the then Matron, ca 4ft 10 of hardened Vim and Vinegar, said the staff were to do that so the staff DID do that !! No worries about cross contamination more about a very cross Matron
.As for the general views about the differences 'tween the private and publicly owned Care Homes -- Several on here have expressed their views quite strongly { and rightly so } but when time passes I hope they will be pounding on their M.P.s and Local Councillor's ear drums loud and often demanding improvements and higher standards for all and even for the best.
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Some bean counters know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
B2, we always seem to be the ones picking up the litter in our road. Mrs WN said last week that she was leaving it for others now. She did. For a whole day before she picked it up when she too was wearing gloves. I'd often pick up a piece of litter when walking down a street and deposit it in a bin but these days, I'm sorry, it stays where it is.
When FiL needed to go into a home the MiL looked at a couple of council run ones and wasn't at all impressed by the hygiene standards and she was lucky in finding an independent small one nearby that had a space. The care was excellent but even then small sickness viruses still pervaded the home from time to time. Really hard to keep out of care homes when you are dealing with people whose systems are run down.
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Not everything is doom and gloom. Lots going on in our little town. One of the ladies on the road we live is delivering flower seeds to folk. These are seeds she harvests from her own large garden. The school that Mrs One used to work at, its opposite our hospital, has opened its kitchens and local chefs, whose restaurants are closed, are cooking 200 hot lunches a day for staff at the hospital. Bravo, bravo.ππ
Mrs One is currently making her fourth bag for PPE. Itβs all patterned material and they are quite large. Reminds me of Santaβs sacks π
Brought some more premium bonds from what Iβve saved during the lock down. Really surprised at the amount. In the last 6 weeks Iβve only driven about 5 miles or so. As we walk to the shop we only buy what we can carry
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Must admit we're not exactly driving far. We're alternating our 4 mile round trip to the shops to make sure both cars at least tick over.
Talking of good news. Talking to a local taxi driver who we've noticed out and about more and he has stopped taxi work and is now delivering Meds to people. Offered his services to local pharmacies and most have accepted. Says the passengers less bother as well.
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Oh had a rather full beard until about an hour ago π―. Sent him up to trim it he took guide off to clean and resumed without reaching π€£π€£π€£. Yes the pattern from Tammygirl works with full beard. The link HERE can be sewn by hand too. My advice check the elastic length before stitching we thought it generous.
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Certainly not all doom and gloom here either. Great exchange of unloved items, advertised on our neighbourhood watch page, so very local, being snapped up by others. From trampolines, raised planters, bikes etc, we left out bats and balls rediscovered in a shed clear out. One persons junk, another's treasure. That includes plants too. Lots of stuff put on drives with help yourself signs.
I ordered geraimuns for mum and dad's grave, when we can get there - brother has compost to rebuild it, and some petunias for plant holder daughter sent her dad for Christmas, from local nursery this morning delivery in a day or 2. They do notify you when they're coming, my 2nd order. They have 'lucky dip' of summer planting bulbs at a Β£1 a pack, normally Β£2.49 - Β£6.99. I resisted as nowhere to put them, I don't need more pots π€π€
More heavy rain and stormy feel, lights, yes needed them on, dipped 3 or 4 times, but sun's out again now.
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Just reading latest club mag (while waiting for rain to ease for another Rosa essential exercise walk) some from on here may be glad to see their "names" in print
On another bit of info some from the country of the leek may not like Visit Wales organisation are now promoting the Snowdonia 360 round tour ,to emulate the "success?" of the North Coast 500
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Out for a good bike ride and tried to find the location of the former Cox Green railways station. It is now a wooded path and the closest I found to any of the original was the road sign that lasted 54 years longer than the station. My bike is where the signal box would have been.
Also a view of the new Spire bridge over the Wear
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