88-year-old care home resident who beat COVID-19 says 'I was never alone in this'

An 88-year-old resident who spent 12 days in hospital with coronavirus reveals that being away from the care home and "unable to see any of my friends or the team was so hard".

On 15 March, staff at The Manse Residential Care Home, London called the local GP to come and check on one of their residents who had a cough for a week. Betty Ashburner was diagnosed with a chest infection as no temperature had developed.

’The nurses were amazing but being away from my home was so hard’

But a week later, her cough turned into a high temperature. Ms Ashburner said: “After full two weeks, it suddenly got more serious. It was as if someone suddenly hit the switch and everything became so much harder, especially my breathing.

“I was breathless, my chest was tight, and I felt really unwell. It’s as if my lungs were in a knot.

"I tried not to overthink it and I took each hour and day as best I could with the support from the team here.”

In isolation, Ms Ashburner was checked regularly by care staff who wore PPE. She said: “Even though I couldn’t see their smiles, I knew they were there, and it was so reassuring every time they came to see me.

“One particular night my breathlessness made it almost impossible to breathe at all and an ambulance was called right away. It all happened so quick but the next thing I know I’m being advised I had to go to hospital.

“I really didn’t want to go to hospital, I felt safe at The Manse, I didn’t want to leave here and the people I knew but the staff here explained it was the best place for me.”

Ms Ashburner was rushed to Croydon University Hospital on the 21 March, where she was tested positive for COVID-19 on admission. The Manse Residential Care Home had been treating her as a COVID-19 patient but were waiting for the test results to arrive.

“I spent 12 full days in hospital being treated with oxygen to support my breathing, it was such a low time for me,” says Ms Ashburner.

“The nurses were amazing but being away from my home and unable to see any of my friends or the team was so hard – I was very poorly but incredibly lonely, and at times scared. I just kept thinking, remain positive and try to be calm and I’ll be out of this place soon enough.”

Ms Ashburner was discharged from hospital on 2 April back to the care home. Before residing at the home, Ms Ashburner was a regular volunteer at the home and always enjoyed visiting. Home manager Veronica McCleary said: “Betty used to always say to us, 'one day I am going to live here'."

Once home, Ms Ashburner was greeted in reception with the most amazing welcome. All the staff were clapping and cheering for her. “I felt very emotional. It was the sudden reminder that I was never alone in this when I was away from The Manse. I felt so loved, everyone was rallying behind me.”

Ms Ashburner remained in isolation for seven days to build her strength back up. “The simplest of tasks felt so tiring to do but the beautiful team here cared for me amazingly.

“They sat with me, checked I was okay in myself, along with the usual checks to see if I was eating and drinking, and making sure I had everything I needed.”

Ms Ashburner is now virus free and says: “I’m ever so thankful to recover from COVID-19, but it wasn’t just a personal battle. I wouldn’t have got through it without the care and attention of the lovely staff around me.

"Together we were alert and always calm, even when I was scared - I never panicked as I was always in the very best of hands,” says Ms Ashburner.

Ms McCleary said: “Betty is an inspiration – at a time that was extremely emotional for her and her family, she wants to share her story to comfort others by showing that in all the tragedy of this virus there are glimmers of hope for us all.

“Here at The Manse we have so much admiration for Betty and I’m proud to have been there for her, with my team, to enrich her life at one of her darkest hours.”

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