Delight as families are able to see loved ones in care homes in the Black Country
“It’s absolutely fantastic. I would love to give her a huge hug but I can’t and we can’t sit too close either, but to hold her hand is fantastic – I think I’ve been squeezing a bit too hard.”
Those are the words of a woman from the Black Country who has been able to hold hands with her mother as lockdown restrictions were eased.
Barbara Lloyd, who lives in Amblecote, visited her 87-year-old mother Joan Dunn, from Quarry Bank, at Portway House care home in Oldbury.
It comes as the Government relaxed lockdown rules – allowing one nominated person to visit their loved one inside a care home across the country.
Barbara said it had been a “fantastic” experience and joked she may have been squeezing her mother’s hand “a bit too hard” after being given the opportunity.
She said: “I’ve not been inside the car home at all. This is the first time I’ve been in the home – Portway did facilitate a hub with a glass screen, so it’s not been too difficult in that respect as I’ve been able to see her physically.
“She’s happy to see me, but she’s a little confused about what’s happening fully. We’re explaining it to her but she’s happy, she’s been smiling and joking with me.
“It’s nice to see her behind the screen but it doesn’t make up for when you can touch her hand. I was saying earlier I feel sorry for my sister because she would’ve liked to come as well, but it’s only one person allowed. To be honest they had to bring some tissues in because I did cry.”
The 66-year-old said she had waited for this moment for so “very long” and said she was emotional and excited to see her mother when she visited yesterday.
She added: “It’s been so special and especially since it’s Mothering Sunday this weekend. I’ve been able to come in and touch her and be with her – I’ve got the next visit planned already. It’s just been on my mind ever since she came into the home.
"I used to see her every day and for that to be taken away, it’s made me so excited and emotional to see her. I can’t put it into words how much I appreciate that I’ve been given this opportunity.”
Portway has personal protective equipment (PPE) available along with lateral flow tests – to ensure people don’t have Covid-19 – and carry out temperature checks as well.
Risk assessments have been carried out and visits to residents have been staggered out to ensure people can see their loved ones safely.
Diane Williams, manager of Portway House care home, said: “It’s just been an amazing day. There’s no words I can possibly convey to describe the emotions that took place in this care home.
"Barbara wasn’t the only one [crying] – the Kleenex came out for all of us. You can’t not be emotional when you see something like that.
"It’s something I’ve never seen in my lifetime – the pandemic has affected people in lots of different ways, but to the residents it’s been really cruel. But now the vaccinations are coming through and the rules have been relaxed so hopefully we’re on the right path now.
"Barbara is the first one who’s visited and we’re also fully booked for the rest of the week.
“We’ve put all the safety measures in place to ensure our doors open to families once again. With a booking system in place we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
Elsewhere, the Sunrise of Tettenhall care home based on Wergs Road, Wolverhampton, has called the resumption of visits a “momentous occasion” for residents and families.
General manager Su Gallagher said: “The resumption of visits for nominated family members will bring much needed contact for our residents who have sorely missed meaningful connections with their loved ones.”
Hundreds of thousands of care homes residents across England are expected to receive indoor visits this week.
