We needed our care homes to provide safe care, as safe as possible. Yet we also need them to really care, and really be the sort of quality home we'd want for anyone we loved. Ventilation is so vital in preventing infections, every bit as much as good sanitation and temperature checks on those who are either staff or visitors. And so we provided grants to better ventilate each individual room to the outdoors, to bring in fresh air. We provided grants to renovate outdoor spaces with a roof and astro-turf; that enabled all those fit enough to play croquet or bowls on the lawn rain or shine. Some chose to play chess or chequers on tables that slid the board back and forth to allow for social distancing. We provided grants for good music, the tunes that reminded them of their youth, of their glory days and gave them a rush of positive endorphins. Lower stress leads to higher immune systems, and what's more, whatever happened, the quality of their lives was improved. And the care homes really became homes that care in the truest sense. Of course, added to that the building work boosted the economy, as it turns out, caring is good for everyone.
In the care homes that could, with the staff that were able to, they isolated together as an extended family. Some staff needed to daily shifts, some weekly, some would stay a month or so. All of it added up to a reduced risk to the elderly, we did what we could.