Over 65S Advised Not To Leave Care Homes

[bednobs]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56607669
personally, i find the guidance completely unacceptable - people in care homes should be subject to the same guidance as the rest of the population imo
What do you think?

[youngmafbog]

Well looks like they are taking legal action over it.

Yes, as with most things Covid it is well over the top.

[Mamyalynne]

I agree with you Bednobs.

[pixie374]

Me too.

[Apc2604]

Is it guidance/advice or a legal instruction. Surely throughout Covid nobody has been told they must stay at home by law.

[New Judge]

I find it absolutely outrageous. Of course once again this is "guidance" and not the law. However, it might as well be law because care home providers will follow the guidance religiously and prevent their inmates from leaving. Even serving prisoners get "weekend release" and those in open prisons are allowed out for many reasons. This "guidance" is nothing short of unlawful imprisonment.

[Peter Pedant]

// This "guidance" is nothing short of unlawful imprisonment.//
calm done calm down

none of the homes are locked and whoever can claim any time of the day or night

blanket guidance of over 65 strikes me as age discriminant

and of course there are age graded laws - - the age of criminal responsibility and consent in children spring to mind

can we er try to rational when we post ? perhaps not, this is after all Answerbank

[alavahalf]

It would seem there are more over 65s still working than there are in care.
Should the ones who are still in employment stay at home ?

[New Judge]

I'm perfectly calm, Peter.

These people are being denied the right to leave their home. I don't know what would happen if any of them tried to do so. Whether they would be forcibly prevented from doing so, I don't know. Maybe they would just be denied re-entry. But I doubt too many would be prepared to get involved in a rumpus.

[bednobs]

not too sure i agree with you there NJ - looking around i seem to see many people in that age bracket willing to cause a rumpus :)

[New Judge]

Good for them. I hope they do.

Of course the local Plod will hot foot it round there as soon as trouble breaks out. They'd be well up for that. Far less disagreeable than dealing with an illegal rave in Manchester:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-56544387#:~:text=People%20gathered%20at%20the%20Castlefield,in%20Manchester%20on%20Wednesday%20evening.

[pixie374]

NJ, you are absolutely right. Having worked in Care Homes, it's a very rare and serious decision to restrict liberty for any individual. Over 65s may well cause a fuss, but care homes are no longer in that position.
They have to go by the book- there are too many people willing to blame and sue now, that even if they know it makes no sense, the records have to be accurate and lawful.

[bednobs]

i also hope they do

[woofgang]

I won't comment on the actual advice but I think the wording is disgraceful. I know its arguable but I do get the advice for care home residents to quarantine on their return though, for the sake of other residents.

[pixie374]

That's fair, if everyone has to do that at home as well. A residential home though, is their home- and in spite of others living there, they are free to come and go as they wish. I think this was why they were first to be vaccinated... as they all have different visitors, different lives.

[bobbinwales]

Dont get your point alavalf. Those over 65s in care homes are there for a reason. generally those over 65s still working there far less vunerable.
Its only guidance but a think the wording should be reviewed. Trouble is tho if that was'nt the guidance and people died after trip's out people would say why didnt the goverment see this coming and give guidance!

[pixie374]

Guidance is one thing, and is different from laws- but it is likely care homes will have to follow "guidance". The government is not responsible for deaths- only for information and advice. And no, you can be in a care home at 65, and be totally independent. It's a choice.

[woofgang]

pixie "That's fair, if everyone has to do that at home as well. A residential home though, is their home- and in spite of others living there, they are free to come and go as they wish. I think this was why they were first to be vaccinated... as they all have different visitors, different lives."

I think the quarantine advice is almost the same for any HMO situation where reception rooms, toilets and so on are shared...maybe beefed up a bit because of the frailty of the residents.

[pixie374]

If it's the same for everyone, fair enough- except that care homes will have to literally abide by all guidance. So we have to be careful not to discriminate there. They can smoke in their bedrooms... they should be able to come and go- it's their choice.

[pixie374]

They don't share toilets, they could realistically isolate, if necessary. Three residents at ours got covid from hospital, and it didn't spread around the unit, as it's easy to keep people apart.

[DTCwordfan]

//They don't share toilets// - except when my Mater muscles in on someone else's bathroom or bedroom!! (No, seriously, Pixie etc are right - the separation is well managed and the home residents do have similar rights to the rest of the population. It could be so much better worded so as to emphasis 'common sense' but then this can't be legalised or advised, it seems.