A message of support to those in Scotland's care homes

A message of support to residents, staff and family members of those living in Scotland’s care homes from Alzheimer Scotland.

Alzheimer Scotland wishes to send a message of support to everyone who is living in a care home, their families and friends, and the care home staff who are working tirelessly to continue to care for them during these very difficult and uncertain times.

The coronavirus pandemic is a risk to us all and the changes that we have all been asked to make, to protect lives, are unprecedented and challenging for many of us. We recognise that many people who live or work in a care home or have family or friends who live there, are having a particularly challenging time and many will be experiencing pain from the loss of someone close to them during this crisis.  Alzheimer Scotland wishes to extend our deepest sympathies to every one of those who has experienced the loss of a loved one.

We know that staff are working tirelessly to care for and protect those living in care homes and provide the highest quality of care, at a time when they are understandably anxious about protecting themselves, their families and colleagues. We are proud to support every health and social care professional working in our care homes; the commitment and compassion that they are demonstrating every day is admirable and humbling. They are on the frontline, caring for and protecting many of the most vulnerable people in Scotland. We fully support the calls to ensure that they have access to the highest level of personal protective equipment and to virus testing to ensure that the risk to those they care for, their own families, and themselves is reduced as much as humanly possible. 

We also know that staff and professionals within this sector will be working hard to ensure that the wishes expressed in each person’s anticipatory care plan, and the views of their families, are central to any future decisions about care and treatment and, in particular, access to hospital care if appropriate.

These are uncertain times and we know that people will be feeling very anxious, and if you are worried about yourself or a family member with dementia during this time, need help or support, or just need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to call our 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000.

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive

On behalf of Alzheimer Scotland