COVID-19: Information
There’s a lot of information about COVID-19 in the media, but not all of it is trustworthy and the situation is changing quickly. We’ve collated a range or resources from national organisations and those we work with across Greater Manchester. We’ll continue to update this page as and when new resources come in.
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DEMENTIA AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC
To make it easier for you to find the resources you need easily we’ve grouped them under topic headings:
- Stay safe and well
- Stay connected
- Keep a sense of purpose
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Keeping physically active
- Eating and drinking well
- Carers
- Who to contact for help and advice
- Advice for volunteers
Information for people who are hearing or visually impaired can be found at the Adult Social Care COVID-19 Resources page.
COVID-19 RESOURCES FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO SUPPORT THOSE AFFECTED BY DEMENTIA
Health and Social Care Staff
- Dementia UK Guidance on giving the COVID vaccine to someone living with dementia
- Greater Manchester Resilience Hub is providing psychosocial and emotional wellbeing support for all health and care workers, across Greater Manchester, affected by the coronavirus outbreak. This includes clinical and non-clinical staff, security, cleaners, porters, caters and other ancillary staff, those redeployed and those shielding. They also offer support for all North West Ambulance Service staff, and for dependents and family members.
- COVID-19: Dementia and cognitive impairment – This short paper on the British Geriatric Society website attempts to summarise some of the key issues concerning people with dementia and their carers in relation to COVID-19. It may be helpful to clinicians and planners.
- Supporting patients of all ages who are unwell with COVID-19 in mental health, learning disability, autism, dementia and specialist inpatient facilities – developed by Royal College of Nursing’s Mental Health Programme, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Unite in Health.
- GP Dementia COVID-19 Guidance v3 – This is a quick guide for GPs on coping with the complex problems that people living with dementia and their families are facing during COVID-19. It was developed by Dr Helen Martin (GP and Dementia United’s Clinical Lead) in conjunction with Dementia United. The focus is on dealing with challenging behaviour and supporting people at home, planning ahead and acute management, including recognising atypical presentations and managing delirium.
- COVID-19 advice for Social Care from the Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Dementia wellbeing in the COVID-19 pandemic – Guide for clinicians to the change to dementia care during COVID-19, from NHS England.
- The Mental Capacity Act (2005) (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic – The guidance applies until withdrawn by the Department of Health and Social Care. During the pandemic, the principles of the MCA and the safeguards provided by DoLS still apply.
- Best interests decisions: A COVID-19 quick guide – Making best interests decisions under the MCA in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Eating and Drinking Information Pack for patients with COVID-19 in the community – developed by Speech and Language Therapy & Dietetics staff at Pennine Care NHS FT.
- Delivery safe, face-to-face adult day care – Guidance for restarting day care services safely.
- Caring for people with dementia in hospital during COVID-19 – Top communication tips from hospital staff and carers
Care Homes
- Resources for care homes April 2020. – Dementia United have collated some resources into one place to enable care home staff to have access to good practice and guidance, without having to work through the vast amount of information coming in. We recognise that we are in challenging times for care homes and this impacts on care home residents who are living with dementia, family members and staff.
- Video on meeting the needs of people with dementia living in care homes during COVID-19 developed by Newcastle Dementia Service for Care Home Staff
- Managing the COVID-19 pandemic in care homes – This British Geriatric Society guidance has been developed to help care home staff and NHS staff who work with them to support residents through the pandemic.
- Greater Manchester Guidance on Socially Distanced Visits to those in Long Term care facilities for the elderly or people with special needs developed by the GM Infection Prevention Control in Care Homes Cell.
- Guidance on admission and care of people in care homes – Department for Health & Social Care guidance on how to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak.
- Dementia in care homes and COVID-19, from Social Care Institute for Excellence, including a Q&A. (Requires login.)
- Opening up care homes and supported housing – best practice guidance on facilitating visitors and encouraging residents to go out safely.