Yahoo News Coronavirus: Carers move in with elderly patients during lockdown to protect them from COVID-19
A group of carers have moved in with their elderly patients during lockdown so they have less chance of infecting them with coronavirus.
Staff at The Haven Care Home, in Devizes, Wiltshire, said goodbye to partners and children ahead of a three-week shift.
The team have pledged to remain at the home until the strict measures are lifted.
The workers are given a week off after a three-week period 'on' before returning to the home to care for the patients.
Read more: Concert performed at care home to cheer up residents after 14 people die
Manager Harriet Mays, who has two young sons, is leading the effort.
She said: "We have been looking at ways to reduce the footfall, and the possibility of infection at the home.
“So we decided the best way to do that was to just move in.”
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The team are keeping themselves entertained in lockdown with group yoga sessions, gardening and board games.
Harriet, whose children are being looked after by partner David, added: "I keep in regular touch with my boys. We do a lot of FaceTime chats.
"They all seem quite happy - but I am looking forward to seeing them a lot."
Another of the lockdown carers is Helen Lane, whose 13-year-old son Callum is at home with her partner, Mike.
She said: "Mike is a bus mechanic and is out of work at the moment.
“They seem to be looking after each other okay I think. It is obviously a little bit difficult.”
She is also managing to enjoy some downtime with the girls at the home.
Helen added: "We’ve been having pamper nights, doing our nails, and we had a hair dying session the other night, so we are having some fun too."
Read more: Concert performed at care home to cheer up residents after 14 people die
The 11 residents currently at the home are all dementia sufferers needing full-time care.
Relatives of those being cared for have since voiced praise of the staff to their local paper - who they are calling heroes.
One said: "I live far away from my father and it is a great comfort for me to know that he is in such good hands.
"I am full of admiration for how the staff have coped. They genuinely care for his wellbeing.
"They treat him with respect and affection. He also has wonderful, wholesome home cooked meals."
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