"Fun, busy and happy" Care home that boasts no Coronavirus cases and fun lockdown activities

The Knight's Care Home at Lytham St Annes entertained residents throughout the pandemic with pamper sessions, birthday celebrations and baking classes.
Residents took place in gardening activitiesResidents took place in gardening activities
Residents took place in gardening activities

The home, on Clifton Drive, has kept residents entertained throughout the widespread Coronavirus lockdown.

Managing the pandemic in care homes has been a challenge across the country and Lancashire, as it has raised particular challenges for care home residents, their families and the staff that look after them.

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Activities Coordinator at The Knight's Care Home, Kirsten Eley, was determined not to let the virus impact those living at the centre, some of which are potentially highly vulnerable.

Resident Brian was among those who gained penpals in lockdownResident Brian was among those who gained penpals in lockdown
Resident Brian was among those who gained penpals in lockdown

"Our home has never been anything other than fun, busy and happy. With Covid-19, we have had to think of new interesting ways to keep our residents happy and entertained. After all, our residents were very much used to daily outings such as pubs and garden centres," she said.

"We have set up a penpal and postcards scheme which has had lots of attention via social media. We had singing on our door step were our lovely residents sang to the street to lift spirits as well as many socially distance garden concerts.

"We have celebrated several birthdays and we knew it would be hard for both sides not being able to see each other so again we made things extra special and made sure video calls are always available."

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The home in the popular sea-side town has held pamper sessions with face masks, created pop up nail salons and hair dressers and created a gents club with beer tasting and baking.

Residents enjoy a social drink together during the pandemicResidents enjoy a social drink together during the pandemic
Residents enjoy a social drink together during the pandemic

But the activities didn't stop there. Kirsten commented: "With so many keen gardeners within the home we decided to make an allotment in our garden with all fruits and vegetables. This was planted and is tended to daily by our residents. We even joined the world of TikTok which has been lots of fun for all involved.

"Food tasters are always great as we have had Indian food, chocolate, Polish food, Greek - the list goes on! We have had many donations to the home from the local community and we would again like to thank everyone."

In one particularly memorable day for Activities Coordinator Kirsten, she spoke of the day resident Shelia was reunited with her dog Lily after three months apart due to hospital treatment.

"There wasn't a dry eye in the house," she said.

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The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected care homes in different regions across England, however The Knight's can boast no cases of the virus.

Peter Sparks, Home Manager, said all 16 of care homes managed by Pearl Care have remained covid-free throughout the pandemic.

"During the early stages of the pandemic we decided, in consultation with our residents, to lockdown the home to visitors. We also cancelled all none urgent servicing within the home to reduce the number of people who may enter the facility," he said.

"We ensured that residents and their relatives were kept fully informed and updated and we went to great lengths to consult with our residents and listen to their comments and what they wanted, after all it is their home.

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"Critically as a company, we made sure that we had access to Personal Protective Equipment for our staff, at no stage did we run low on stock and we even managed to purchase additional face coverings for our staff and relatives to wear if they were using public transport."

The company were successful in setting up a crisis management team that had responsibility for developing and sharing all information relating to the virus, ensuring staff were fully trained in all aspects of combatting Covid-19.

Peter commented: "Now, life in our care homes has been a surreal experience for our residents and staff during the lockdown period, but as we anticipated our wonderful staff and residents have risen to all the challenges and have created an environment that is fun, stimulating and safe."

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