Coronavirus Update
Coronavirus – What is it?
See our Showcase of Care During COVID-19 Newsletter here
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, Coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of Coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. It can also cause Anosmia – the loss or change in your normal senses of smell or taste.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. This clearly includes many individuals who are in care homes or are being supported to live at home. The older population is therefore a particular community of concern.
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of the virus. It is also simply called coronavirus. Initially, there was no vaccine and no specific treatment for infection with the virus, but thankfully progress has been made and effective vaccines are now available.
How can we protect ourselves?
The following measures are recommended to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect people at increased risk of severe illness:
- Stay at Home
- Social Distancing Measures should be followed by everyone
- Shielding the Vulnerable
- Effective Hand Hygiene to mitigate the spread of infection
- Cleaning surfaces with antibacterial wipes and sprays
For more information, our coronavirus newsletter can be found here.
How does this affect my care?
At Tailor Maid, we are doing everything we possibly can to accommodate our clients old and new with all the support that they need during this difficult time, but should there be a need for reduction of services you will be informed as soon as possible.
We have created a priority list based on the relative needs of our clients, and in case of lack of staff those who require the most immediate or specialised assistance shall receive priority. Please note that we have not yet had a need to utilise this system, and should we see any change we will let you know.
For now, our services have not been hugely affected. However the situation can sometimes change daily, and it will be important for our team to support you and your family throughout this time.
The Health and Social Care standards very clearly sets out what people who experience care should expect, and during this time the same high standards of care and support will be provided. The Tailor Maid Supervisors will be completing regular risk assessments for individuals who live at home, and will try to reduce said risks so that people stay safe.
Being more socially isolated can be upsetting and is detrimental to our mental health. We will be here to support you by providing regular courtesy calls, continuing to encourage daily CAPA activities, and more importantly being caring and compassionate to you to alleviate your fears during these uneasy times. We acknowledge the importance of respecting people’s need for social contact, mental health, and their human rights. We can support you using technology such as Skype, Zoom or WhatsApp to contact friends and family… It’s good to talk! Please contact the office on 0141 638 6622 and we will be happy to organise keeping in touch with loved ones.
We have, of course, made some changes to our care, including the wearing of proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) by all members of staff interacting with clients. This not only protects our clients, but protects our staff too. Our staff are following the highest standard of hygiene to ensure we do not spread any infection. All staff have completed additional training since the virus outbreak and follow our internal policy and procedures dealing with the virus.
Where can I find out more?
https://www.gov.scot/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance
Here, you can find the Scottish Government’s official guidance on how to keep safe during the pandemic. You want to look to the “Looking after yourself and others” section.
Some more useful links below:
https://www.careinspectorate.com/
Thank-You and Testimonies
“So grateful to all the girls for keeping going with visits – they have been fabulous!”
I. Mathieson, March 2020
“All staff have been a lifeline to me and a godsend to Ian – they are fabulous”
C. Shearer, April 2020
“My heart lifts when I know the girls are due in. I don’t know what I would do without them. Linda goes above and beyond”
I. Williams, May 2020
“Very happy and impressed with care and good that all visits have been in place”
T. Woods, May 2020
“Please let me say thank you so much to you and all the staff for working with my parents in the current situation. Me and my family are very grateful to you all.”
P. McLaren’s family, May 2020
“Just wanted to say thank you so much to all the ladies who are working hard and still caring for mum in these terrible times we are living through. John and I are very grateful to you for your excellent service”
A. Nicol, March 2020
“We just wanted to say how much we appreciate the work all your carers are doing at this difficult time. Having admired them from a distance (we live in Bannockburn), over the last week when mum has needed us to stay overnight following her fall, we have seen their work at slightly closer quarters (keeping out of their way of course) and have been so impressed with their professionalism, care and companionship under very trying circumstances.
It must be very difficult to organise and juggle their rotas just now – so a big thank you to the office staff as well, whom I have always found to be both approachable and knowledgeable any time I have phoned in the past.”
John and Jan Cross, on behalf of Irene Mathieson, April 2020