What Is It For?

[Barsel]

I got my NHS Covid Pass after having the 2 vaccines thinking that will get me into places without having to do a flow test, but I was wrong.
Tomorrow I am going to visit my cousin who has had to go into a care home and when I phoned today to say I would be going, I was told I would have to do a flow test when I get there even though I have the pass.
The thought of me or someone else sticking something down my throat and up my nose just fills me with dread.
What is the Covid pass for if you still have to do a test?

[pixie374]

// You can't enter a care home unless you are vaccinated, and that's your proof.//

Visitors can though.

[Barsel]

Oh, did hoppy mean you can't be a resident without the jabs?
I thought he meant you can't visit without having had them.

[pixie374]

Not sure, barsel, and might be different in different places. So far, it's carers only. Not nurses or visitors.

[pixie374]

And care home residents don't have to have them either.

[Barsel]

I'm going to have a look on their website to see if there is any info there.

[pixie374]

Barsel //I wonder if the residents and staff have to be tested daily?//

Locally, at least, carers are tested twice a week. If anyone's is positive, they have to go home and do the NHS test. And then everyone else gets tested before every shift for 10 days.

It is changing quickly, but that was the last I know of recently.

[Hopkirk]

At my mother's care home you have to prove vaccination to visit.

[pixie374]

Thanks hoppy x would be interested to see what barsel finds at this one.

[Barsel]

Well, when we got there, we were directed to a smallish room just inside and told we would have to see my cousin there as one of the carers/nurses had tested positive.
They didn't ask to see proof that we had had the vaccine and my cousins Grandson showed her the flow test he did before I picked him up, and he told me on the way home he had used water????????
What that means I don't know, but the nurse stuck something in my mouth which tickled my tongue, then she put it slightly into one of my nostrils and walked off with it, we didn't see her again.
They wheeled my cousin in and left the 3 of us to talk, but there was only about 1metre between us.
It was lovely to see my cousin even though she is very unwell and very upset at being there, and I probably will go again sometime before Christmas.

[pixie374]

Thanks, barsel. I'm not sure what he meant about water, as my sister and I tried running one under the tap, out of interest, and it just didn't confirm that the test had worked. So, not usable.
The flow tests are only nose, and I'm not sure whether they did yours right, as that would take days to come back, for a proper test.
In any case, I hope your friend is OK xx

[bednobs]

Perhaps he used the "water" from the test kit?

[pat2604]

I wouldn't be taking her grandson again! And I wouldn't be going there again. They don't seem very efficient and you are a vulnerable person.

[pat2604]

It's all very sad. The neighbour and friend I visit has been 6 months in a carehome she doesnt want to be in and doesn't need to be in. She has deteriorated through being there mentally and physically. It was agreed months ago that she could cope at home with carer visits, but no carers available. All she wants is to go home. She's a quiet person whom is very intelligent. A carehome environment is slowly killing her and she knows it is, but she has no other options. It's upsetting me a lot, but I can't help. Damn Covid!!

[Barsel]

Lottie, I won't be taking him again as he made me feel very uncomfortable.
I know he has mental health issues and I haven't described what he was like yesterday, but I could see how his behaviour was upsetting my cousin (his nanna), so I will go on my own in future.
My cousin has been told it's unlikely she will walk again and because she needs help with everything, I can't see how she will be allowed home as she needs a hoist to get her to the toilet etc.
I really am unsure what to do about further visits, but will just have to see how things go.
Having to be in a care home is very sad isn't it? x

[pat2604]

Barsel, with my problems, I fear I might end up in a care home eventually. In would hate it, but in have seen a lot of residents who actually benefit from the system and enjoy themselves. Old age is not good. Some say it's better than the alternative though!

[Barsel]

The care home my cousin is in looks lovely.
It's like individual apartments set out all on one level, and very modern with lovely gardens but, because my cousin relies on the carers for everything, they leave her in bed longer than they should and that upsets her a lot.
There are people in there with dementia who shout a lot during the day and night, the staff are noisy at night as well.
Even the food is not good, and just like when in hospital, residents are asking their visitors to bring food in.
So, although it looks lovely, it isn't a place I would ever want to stay in and I hope I never have to and I hope you don't either Lottie. x

[pixie374]

Good point, barsel, I might see if my sister experimented with that one. I would sincerely hope that wouldn't work though.

I've always told my children to help me find a local care home, as soon as required... and not feel guilty. Seeing both sides of residential and homecare, I still have no doubt whatsoever. It's the isolation that's a real problem at home, and of course recent events haven't helped. But, not for me.

[pixie374]

^ bednobs, sorry.

[Barsel]

Pixie, are you saying you would rather go in a home than have homecare?

[pixie374]

For me personally, yes. I know it's very individual though.