STAFF at a care home in Wrexham have produced a quirky dance video which shows people how to wash their hands properly.

The five workers from Highfield Nursing Home in Wrexham created their handwashing dance routine to the music of the hit 1970s song by the Bee Gees, ‘Stayin’ Alive’.

Their 70 second dance demonstrates the best practice when it comes to washing your hands, which experts say is crucial in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

Laura Shone, a Senior Care Practitioner at Highfield Nursing Home, says she’s never been prouder of her team as they work tirelessly to keep their 59 elderly residents safe and happy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Senior Care Practitioner Laura Shone. Picture Mandy Jones

Speaking about the measures that the care home has introduced since the outbreak, Mrs Shone said: “Everybody’s come up with creative ways to keep morale up, including a handwashing video to the tune of ‘Stayin’ Alive’.

“As things are so serious at the moment, we wanted to make it fun to keep people’s spirits up. The staff enjoyed doing it and we have showed it to the residents too.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure they feel safe and reassured.”

The nursing home on Summerhill Road is part of the Pendine Park care organisation and was one of the first in Wales to ask relatives to stay away, to protect residents from exposure to the deadly virus.

But despite families no longer being able to visit their loved ones, supplies are still being dropped off to the care home on a daily basis to keep the group of 59 residents – who are all over the age of 70, and most with underlying medical conditions – happy.

The workers are also doing their best to keep morale high within the home, and Mrs Shone adds: “The staff are working so hard, and not one of them have moaned, they have all just got on with it.

“We are effectively creating a group quarantine, protective cocoon around our residents, and inside that we need to look after their physical health, and their mental health as well.

“I honestly couldn’t be prouder of the team– we say be a Pendine kind of person, that’s our motto, and every single one of our staff is a Pendine kind of a person.

“There are some lovely moments – the place is full of laughter, and you can see already the bonds are strengthening between the carers and the residents as they are spending more time together.

“When we give the residents their meals, we’re trying to give them a bit more of a dining experience.

“We’re making sure people’s make up has been put on, they have their hair done, they’re wearing their favourite aftershave or perfume.

“It’s a real family atmosphere. That’s what Pendine Park represents, it’s part of our culture.

“We are here to do a job and so we have to stop worrying about what might happen and just make each day as good as it can be.”

Highfield Care Home has also ramped up it’s health and hygiene measures in recent weeks since the outbreak, with a new regime including daily handwashing drills for all staff, social distancing for residents, screening of essential visitors, and sanitizer stations at every entrance.

Company Director, Gill Hughes, who introduced the new hygiene measures, said: “We have high levels of training and stringent infection control measures at the best of time but given the current circumstances we have gone into overdrive in that regard.

“Our staff have been absolutely brilliant. They have certainly come up trumps and are doing their utmost to support our residents at this most difficult of time. I am proud of each and every one of them.”