I am concerned that my relative's hourly carers are not always wearing Face masks when they arrive. Relative is going on 90 years old and I have expressed my concern to the Agency. who has said their carers have all been supplied with masks and gloves.
The carers never used to wear any masks but one or two now do at my relative's request.
My relative is in good physical health.
Yesterday a carer refused to wear a mask pointblank.
I cannot understand why because I thought the carers would be glad of any kind of barrier protection during this deadly pandemic no matter how little for themselves as well as their clients.
I listen to the Government's recent advice that carers wearing masks may offer some protection to vulnerable clients.
I suspect the agency is short of masks and the carers are saving them for clients who have covid-19.
Though they are expensive I would be happy to purchase them myself for the carers to use a new mask every time they attend.
I am not sure if I am allowed to supply masks or any other protective item.
My worry is that if I make a fuss the agency will stop sending carers and leave my vulnerable relative in the lurch.
That's an awkward one isn't it with the carer not wanting to wear the mask,I would ring the office and request them to do so,and they will contact the carers with a text and tell them that you have requested it,I had to say to one of the girls today could she keep it on until she leaves the home as she took it off while she was standing writing the notes,I live with mum and I have diabetes so I want to feel protected too.I had already had a carer that didn't want to wear an apron as she said they were too small,I think sometimes the carers seem a bit oblivious to what's going on,I'm wondering if they ever watch the news!
My mums carers have a mask to wear for each shift not for each visit so 1 for the breakfast call and then they will wear that at the other clients calls at breakfast and so on and then a fresh one for the clients at lunch ,to be honest I was surprised they were even given that many so I'm not going to complain.
Social care ppe doesn't seem to get much of a mention,the focus seems to be on care homes,which of course are important but people at home need to be protected too.
Don't worry about contacting the office,have a good polite chat with them and keep them on side, and try and build a little rapport with them,you will often find the people in the office want to keep people happy