Families, who say it has been 'absolute hell', can finally hold hands with care home residents

Care home residents in England have enjoyed heartwarming reunions and have described how "amazing" it has been to hold hands with their loved ones for the first time in a year.

On 23 March 2020, the UK went into national lockdown with many care homes closing their doors to visitors days and weeks before that date to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

But following a change in government guidance nearly a year later on Monday 8 March 2021, relatives were finally allowed back into the homes to hold face to face conversations with residents while holding their hands.

'It’s been absolute hell not being able to touch him all this time'

Among the first visitors to Royal Star & Garter - High Wycombe, wife Judi was able to spend time and hold the hand of her husband, Army veteran Alan.

After an emotional reunion, Judi said: “It’s been absolute hell not being able to touch him all this time. I was so excited before seeing him and it was amazing to hold his hands.”

Judi’s husband Alan, who is living with dementia, described the visit as “lovely.”

Resident Patricia was visited by her husband Gerald at Royal Star & Garter - Solihull. He said: “I was so happy to come into the home after so long apart. Being able to hold Pat’s hand means we are close together once more. Knowing she is well cared for makes me feel relaxed at home."

Pauline Shaw, director of care at Royal Star & Garter, said: “Our staff have provided amazing, loving care during the Covid-19 crisis. It’s truly been care with courage. But nothing can replace a visit from a loved one.

“We saw with the outdoor and Covid-secure room visits, the boost it gave residents. Being able to now hold hands will mean the world to people we care for.

"It’s been a long wait for everyone involved and our residents have shown such resilience and strength. We are all so delighted that they can have these wonderful reunions.”

’Holding someone’s hand has such a massive impact on someone’s mental well-being’

At Faithfull House Residential Care, Cheltenham, daughter Alison Barnett was there to see her father John Crick. The last time she saw her father was last December.

Ms Barnett said: “I know that we can hold hands, and there is only one from the whole family who can go and see Dad, which I completely understand the reasons for it, but I can’t wait for when we can actually hug him.”

James Mitchell, deputy manager and clinical lead at Faithfull House care home said: “Something so simple as holding someone’s hand has such a massive impact on someone’s mental well-being. For our residents to be able to have that is so important. That really is one of the most exciting things for us is to be able to bring that personalised element back into it. It’s going to be lovely to see.”

Suzanne Booker, deputy chief executive and director of care at Lilian Faithfull Care group said: “There is a breakthrough, at last, there is light, and we can see everybody’s spirits are starting to pick up. Everyone is feeling safer, not complacent, but safer. We just need to be sensible and keep up the good infection control.”

Oaktree Court Care Home, Wellington, Somerset also opened their doors to welcome back visitors.

Residents John and Margaret Buckle, married for 64 years were able to welcome their son Aiden. On arrival, Aiden said he was “very happy” to be visiting and agreed it had been such a long time since he could visit.

Marie George manager of Oaktree Court Care Home said: “It’s a great step forward for all of us.

“We are delighted to have everybody back into the home. Just seeing everybody’s faces, our residents, their loved ones, it’s fantastic. It’s been such a long time since people have been able to come in and see everybody."

'It is lovely to have that human contact'

in Canterbury was also ‘elated’ to welcome relatives back to its home.

Resident, Peter Ovenden, received a visit from his sister Carol. Carol said: “It is absolutely lovely to be able to visit him properly again and to have that human contact.”

Another resident, Zarine Kemp, received a visit from her daughter, Laila, who said: “It is just wonderful to come in and visit mum in her room, in person. To be able to at least hold her hand has been really nice.”

Christine Devlin, home manager of Connors House added: “It’s been such a tough year for care homes, so we really are elated to be able to move forward and welcome relatives back to our home, albeit with PPE and safety measures in place.

“The importance of meaningful contact between residents and their loved ones cannot be underestimated and it’s been so hard to see them kept apart this past year, so it is absolutely wonderful to be able to take this first step back to normality.”