The health crisis led to a ban on entering nursing homes in France in March. The reception of residents within the Village, initially scheduled for early April, could therefore not be carried out. The management of the Village Landais Alzheimer, with the agreement of the Regional Health Agency, decided to relaunch admissions. In order to establish an action plan to be able to do so under current sanitary conditions, appeal was made to the Support Center for the Prevention of Infections Associated with Care (CPIAS) of the C.H.U of Bordeaux. It was on the basis of his expertise that the following conditions and steps could be established.
Secure entry conditions
For several weeks, caregivers were forced to pass the pandemic to their loved one at home or in their previous establishment. Now, according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, each resident must, to enter the Village, undergo a virological test. Once the negative result is proven, he can move in; a period of fourteen is then respected.
The configuration of the accommodation part of the Village is conducive to quality care from a health point of view. With its four isolated neighborhoods, each consisting of four households that can accommodate 7 to 8 people, it is possible not to confine residents to bedrooms: they will be free to move around in their households (300m²). Professionals will also work on this scale, being specifically assigned to a household per fortnight. Walks in the landscaped park (5 hectares) will be authorized, but the resident must be accompanied to ensure compliance with the rules of distance.
Calendar and organization
The 90 villagers planned for permanent accommodation will all be accommodated between June and July. 3 of the 4 neighborhoods of the Village will thus be occupied. The last district (30 people), intended in the long term to accommodate the villagers in day care or in temporary accommodation, will allow a flexibility of management in the next weeks, in particular if it proves necessary to have to isolate a person affected by Covid19. 32 residents are arriving today June 11, 30 will on June 25 and 28 will on July 9 (including people under 60).
Out of the first group of 32 villagers, 24 people (75%) arrive from their homes, 5 from nursing homes, 2 from Cognitive-Behavioral Units (UCC) and 1 from Reinforced Accommodation Units (UHR). The distribution is 21 women and 11 men for an average age of 80 years.The organization of admissions is established so that different families and villagers do not meet: different timetables, entrances and portals. The number of people present per house is limited to 10, including professionals and residents. A professional is appointed for each arrival of villagers.
Concerning the professionals of the Village, after several weeks of provision in medico-social establishments and / or health structures mainly in the Landes to help in the fight against the virus, they have to submit to the strict rules imposed by “barrier” gestures face the risk. Returned to the site on May 11, a period of fourteen days was observed. In addition, they are not to come to work if they have a fever (temperature above 38°C).
A partial stage in the life of the Village
Today is a great stage in the life of the Village, which has been taken in anticipation of another aspect of the project: opening up to social life. Indeed, the pandemic context forced to postpone the opening to the general public of shops and services of the Bastide (Media library, Auditorium, Hairdresser, Café-restaurant, Health center ...). In the same vein, the 120 volunteers who have supported the project since 2016 must wait to be able to make their essential contribution to the daily life of the Village and the villagers.
In terms of research, another innovative aspect of the project, the INSERM Village impact assessment program and the INNOV'PAD study on innovative projects for the management of Alzheimer's disease and other diseases related have adapted in order to be carried out in this particular context.
Full opening in September?
In September, the 4th and last district could open, the volunteers taking over the premises and the shops and services of the Village will be accessible to the general public. This is when this unique experiment in France will take on its full dimension.
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