Pandemic care home diary by 94-year-old says residents are like a 'forgotten army'

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Britain, putting the country in lockdown in March 2020, 94-year-old Bob Skinner was writing a blog of his own experiences inside a care home in lockdown - which has since become a published book.

The book ‘Pandemic! My Care Home Diary’ describes Bob Skinner’s personal experiences at Sunrise of Cardiff care home, including a long-awaited visit from his son who, he writes, was ‘kitted out’ in PPE but sadly the visit still meant ‘no hug or handshake allowed’.

As a former journalist for 20 years at South Wales Argus and national newspapers, Mr Skinner's blog entries include news of his recovery after three weeks in hospital with coronavirus.

‘Not an elderly person in sight’

At the start of the UK’s first lockdown, under the title ‘Silent bells’, the 94-year-old writes on Sunday 22 March 2020, ‘Looking out of my window in Cyncoed Road, the city is strangely quiet. Far fewer cars, no buses, just the occasional dog walker and young jogger. Not an elderly person in sight.

‘Last week it was busy, with nonstop traffic, people going to work, children off to school. Last Sunday, the bells were calling people to worship. Today they are silent, and the church doors are firmly shut. Members are no doubt fervently praying at home for normal life to return soon. How many centuries ago was it, I wonder, when people were banned from leaving their home?’

The day after a visit from his son, Mr Skinner writes on Sunday 12 July 2020: ‘My first visitor after four months – my son Robert. He spent the day, five hours of driving, to have just an hour with me.

‘It was more than a happy reunion after those unreal months: proof that brighter days lie ahead. It was far from normal. We old people are being carefully looked after - guarded - and that made the difference.

‘I had been looking forward for so long to today and was standing by the window watching for him to arrive, but I had to wait.

‘He first had to be 'made safe' by being kitted out with apron, gloves and face mask by a carer. Then he was taken to the gazebo set up in front of the building. Inside were two seats, the regulation two metres apart. I was taken out to join him. No hug or handshake allowed. After a wave and a laugh we lost no time in getting down to chat, making up for lost time.’

‘Forgotten army’

On Sunday 16 August 2020, under the title ‘A forgotten army’, he states ‘… there is another, larger section of the community that is waiting for signs of release from lockdown - we care home residents.

‘I am beginning to think that, like the men who fought in Burma, we are the forgotten army. Reacting, reasonably, but belatedly, the government clamped down on us. And we are still in a vice-like grip. While the rest of the country starts to experience the pleasures of normal life, our freedom is still very limited, and, worse, there seems little prospect of change. And who is thinking of us, speaking up for us?’

On Wednesday 23 September he writes: ‘Disappointing news at Sunrise. A second carer has been confirmed positive. Sara, the general manager yesterday personally told us and confirmed that the home will have to close to visitors for a month. What a shame after all the effort over the past six months. One of the worst effects of the Sunrise lockdown is the abrupt stop to visiting. In Sunrise, we were all tested again yesterday but may have to wait up to a week for results. And care homes are said to have priority.’

On Saturday 26 September 2020, Mr Skinner’s blog entry is titled: ‘I have coronavirus’.

‘This is one diary entry I did not expect to make but the Sunrise luck has run out. I was at the art class this morning when a few of us were asked to return to our rooms. That sounded ominous, and it was.

‘I was told that five residents had been tested positive. I had expected to find that I was one of them as I have not been feeling too well for a few days; a bad cold and a cough. A few hours later I was told that I had indeed tested positive for coronavirus.

‘So it's all change. We are all confined to our rooms with a carer looking after us. Sunrise has almost shut down, the restaurant closed, activities suspended. What a shame. I feel sad after all the effort they have put in over the months, but there it is. We have to put up with it.’

On Sunday 27 September 2020 he tells readers: ‘Life has changed suddenly, in a day. Sunrise, my home and my world, started diminishing with lockdown in March.

‘I have no idea when my next run out will be, but it certainly won't be for six months according to Mr Johnson. I am confined to my flat, the Turret suite - how glad I am to have chosen it. I could not be more comfortable even in solitude. Life would have been so different if I were alone in 18 Windsor Court.

'I now have to get used to being alone all day'

‘I now have to get used to being alone all day, no one to talk to, except for the arrival of a carer - it looks as though it will be Alice who has been such a help to me - bringing meals.

‘I am continuing my daily routine; getting ready for the new day, tidying the flat, making the bed before having my breakfast. More time for reading.’

Mr Skinner is already a published author having written about his years in journalism in his book 'Don't Hold the Front Page' in 2005. He moved into the care home in August 2019.

Sara Reading, general manager of Sunrise of Cardiff, said: “Bob’s touching account of the COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique and personal record of his experience while living at our care home.

"Although a challenging time, Bob’s story of life at Sunrise of Cardiff depicts the reality of this era, including the unexpected joys and community spirit which helped us through the worst public health crisis in a century.”

With a new book under his belt, Mr Skinner has not stopped documenting his life and it seems his pandemic diary continues. You can read Bob’s blog, including his original coronavirus diary entries, at https://bobcskinner.blogspot.com.

Bob Skinner’s book ‘Pandemic! My Care Home Diary’ is available on Amazon.

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