A leading South Lakeland home care provider has reassured its clients that it will continue to provide vital services during the coronavirus crisis.
“It’s business as usual,” said Charley Wilkinson, Care Manager at Westmorland Homecare, whose clients live in an area ranging from Kendal, Windermere and Ambleside to Grange-over-Sands and Milnthorpe.
The Kendal-based company provides hundreds of hours of care each week, which enable elderly and often frail people to live independently in their own home.
Its services include home care, such as help with housekeeping and meal preparation, and personal care, such as help with dressing, bathing and getting in and out of bed.
“We are following the Government’s COVID-19 guidance, Public Health England guidance and also that issued by the United Kingdom Homecare Association,” said Miss Wilkinson.
As part of its standard practice all staff have infection control training about washing hands, cleaning surfaces thoroughly and sneezing into a tissue, along with the need to use personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary.
“Our number one priority is to support and help our clients, as well as our hard-working and dedicated staff, in whatever way we can,” said Miss Wilkinson.
She said there were many local initiatives being set up to help vulnerable people who might have to self-isolate. These included a support group in Kendal to connect volunteers who can collect shopping or urgent supplies or post letters for people.
“It’s fantastic to see the community coming together and we will help in any way we can,” said Miss Wilkinson.
“If you or your family is isolating yourself due to COVID-19 we will happily do ‘phone check-ins. This is part of our desire to help out as part of the wider community. People should just ring the office on 01539 7251207.”
