The care home trialled the use of lateral flow testing for coronavirus, which generates results within 30 minutes. This meant Aspen Hill Village could host over 70 close-contact family visits on Christmas morning. Friends and family members all donned PPE and were able to bring festive joy to loved ones in-person and exchange gifts, hugs and conversation.
Lateral flow tests were rolled out in England to combat isolation amongst care home residents and allow for close-contact visits.
Navjot Singh, director at Aspen Hill Village, said:
“2020 has been difficult for the whole country, but for those people living in care homes, or with loved ones in care homes, it has been even more so.
“For some of our residents, it’s been over nine months since they’ve been able to hold hands, or have a hug, with their loved ones.
“That’s why the lateral flow tests, which allowed us to test visitors on the day to make sure they don’t have the virus, was so exciting.
“It meant that on Christmas Day we were able to reunite over 70 families for a much-needed hug, cup of tea and chat.
“It’s brought a smile to everyone’s faces and ended a very difficult year on a high.
“For our staff, who have tried their best to make life as normal as possible for the people they care for, it represents a bit of hope that our residents will have more normality in 2021.”
Armighorn Capital secured investment from FDC to acquire the care home in 2018 and went on to deliver improvements to become the biggest care home in Leeds and one of the largest care homes in the UK, offering beds and services to up to 180 residents.