The elderly in care homes

We are all aware that recently, we have had a spike of Coronavirus cases in the community.

This has also affected certain homes for the elderly where positive cases had been immediately identified due to regular testing of residents and staff, a measure implemented since June by the Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA) together with the Health Department.

As Commissioner for Older Persons, I have been closely following the evolving situation, since elderly persons remain the most vulnerable people in the community. Since March, the Ministry for Family Children’s Rights and

Social Solidarity together with the Secretariat for Active Ageing and Persons with Disability and the Health Department through SCSA and the Public Health Authority have been working closely and collaborating to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the residents in care homes while trying to control the spread of the virus.

Restrictions in all care homes have been tightened to curb the spread of the virus. Various measures had been put in place after a careful and detailed analysis of the situation, keeping in mind that the health and wellbeing of our elderly residents is our main priority at all times. Actions taken in all care homes include:

• Evidence based protocols;

• New residents are to be put in quarantine before being admitted into the residence;

• Introduction of contingency beds for isolation in case of having positive cases;

• Strengthening of infection control measures and continuous training of staff about these measures;

• Staff to patient allocation and safe bubbles in every floor;

• There has to be no direct contact between visitors and residents;

• Only persons involved in giving an essential service are allowed to enter homes;

• The latest measure to be implemented is that the head of the home is to ensure that residents are to leave the home only for medical reasons. When a positive case is identified, they are put in isolation, medically assessed regularly to see if referral to Mater Dei is advisable, the contact tracing procedure is initiated immediately and swabbing is conducted as per Public Health Authorities’ protocol. In homes, where there has been concern due to a spike in numbers, positive cases as already stated, are isolated and the negative cases are swabbed every three days.

These are Aged Care Regulations that apply to all homes and the SCSA is ensuring that the maximum standards set, are always being adhered to. We need to appreciate the work and have trust in the health authorities and all the workers involved in providing care for the elderly.

Everyone is part of a hardworking team, doing their utmost for the benefit of our dear ones in these unprecedented times. In all homes, the staff is in continuous communication with relatives regarding the health of their respective residents. This is a routine procedure even under normal operation and if any specific concerns arise or are received, these are dealt with on a personal basis.

As for the community in general, it is important to always keep in mind that while there are cases of COVID-19 in the community, and some of these are asymptomatic, the risk of contracting the virus is always present. As such everybody should be responsible enough to show concern and cooperate with the health authorities and continue following mitigation measures namely, wearing a mask, hand and personal hygiene and social distancing. We are at a phase where everyone is responsible for his/her actions, taking care not to put oneself in a risky situation. When a person chooses to take unnecessary risks, one should understand that the risk one is taking is affecting not only the individual, but whoever he meets and spends time with, especially where elderly and vulnerable persons are concerned.

As Commissioner for Older Persons, together with all stakeholders, while understanding relatives’ concern, we are doing our best in these circumstances in ensuring that our dear ones receive the best care possible, where everybody involved in aged care is showing residents that they are cared for, have value and are loved and respected members of our society. Every elderly person who succumbs while COVID positive, even though there might have been underlying medical conditions, would have been a loved and treasured family member, a mother, father or any other dear relative who would be sorely missed.

Let us all unite, show concern, respect and be responsible for the sake of our elderly and vulnerable persons and for the community in general.