Open with Care - supporting meaningful contact in care homes: guidance
New guidance supports meaningful contact to resume between adult care home residents and their loved ones, beginning with visiting up to twice a week. This guidance is now possible due to all the COVID-protections in place. Everyone has as important part to play in continuing to protect against COVID-19 in care homes.
07 Compassionate essential visiting Summary and reference guide
Quick Guide: Essential visits in care homes
Essential Visit
An essential visit is one where it is imperative that a friend or relative is supported to see their loved one and not subject to the same time limits as routine indoor visits.
Principles
- Sympathetically supported
- Anticipatory and responsive
- Enabling touch and reconnection
- Always permitted regardless of other restrictions or infection rates
Anticipation
Anticipate when the need for visits becomes essential for resident and loved ones to promote well-being
Anticipatory and person-centred visiting care plans in place to suit needs of resident and visitor.
Document any requests, the agreed plan and outcome
Distress
There is clear distress and impact on well-being (for both loved ones and/or resident) as a result of separation. Where a resident or family/friend may be reassured by a visit.
Deterioration
Where a resident declines in mood or cognition, appetite or mobility. Where interaction with loved ones might be felt to help.
End of Life Care
Where a resident's well-being deteriorates and it is thought that the situation may be irreversible. Agree flexible meaningful time leading up to the resident's death with loved ones.
Not...
- Not just at imminent end of life
- Not the same as routine indoor, garden or window visits
- Not socially distant
- Not supervised or observed
- Not generally limited by wider COVID-19 restrictions
- Not time limited
- Not limited to one visitor
Care homes are asked to continue to compassionately support essential visits. The guides above and on the next page summarise the principles and scenarios to supporting these.
Essential Visits
Distress
There is clear distress and impact on well-being (for both resident and/or loved ones) as a result of separation.
Where a resident or loved one may be reassured by a visit.
Deterioration
Where a resident's well-being declines in mood or cognition, appetite or mobility.
Where interaction with loved ones might be felt to help.
End of Life Care
Where a resident's condition deteriorates and it is thought that the situation may be irreversible.
Agree compassionate, flexible and meaningful time together in the lead up to the resident's death.
*Not exclusive – may be a combination of some or all of these factors
Key Principle: Prevention
Anticipate when the need for visits becomes essential for resident and family wellbeing.
Care Plans
Anticipatory and visiting care plans in place to suit needs of resident and visitor.
Documentation
Document any requests, the agreed plan and outcome.
Contact
Email: CareHomesCPAG@gov.scot
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