It's so distressing, reading the distress so many of you are suffering through this very hard time. My mum and dad are both in a care home. I had seen them both in the summer, two half hour visits each, in the garden, 2 mtrs apart and in ppe. Both times were very distressing. Dad cried because he couldn't hug me. Mum was angry, suspicious of the 'prison wardens', upset because she couldn't even hold my hand and thought it was all because she was being punished for something.
I hadnt seen them since then but had a visit last week in their new pod. At first, they said I could have 15 mins each parent but I politely argued that it would be barely enough time to sit down and say hello. Apparently it was because I had two parents and although all other single residents had half and hour, mine were only allowed 15 mins each...
It takes me two hours on public transport to get there and costs me £50 as my son has to accompany me as I have disabilities. Eventually they relented and I was allowed half hour each parent.
Dad was fairly ok although he was tearful as he could see me but not hug me. He also couldn't hear very well through the perspex as the intercom distorted my voice. He said he didn't know what I was saying.
when mum came to the door and saw me, her face lit up and she rushed to hug me. She didn't see the perspex and banged into it. She was understandably upset and tearful. She cannot understand why she cant hug her own daughter. She hated being in the pod. She kept putting her fingers on the glass to 'touch mine'. It was so sad and took all my strength not to dissolve into tears. When it was time to go, mum sadly stood up and asked the carer to take her back. It was extremely upsetting. All you want to do is hug them, but you're not allowed. When my sister visited her, mum just screamed at her to go away to her own family and not bother coming back. These screens are so traumatising for those with dementia.
Makes me so very angry. These lockdowns are unlawful and cruel. I long for the day when those responsible for this trauma and heartache, are locked up themselves. They have stolen our families from us, taken the precious time we should have with them. It's criminal what's being done. Our relatives shouldn't be imprisoned like this, locked away for nearly a year, held hostage, it's inhumane. I petition the mps, the barristers and lawyers etc. I post on radio shows and many sites, trying to get something done, but until the gov is made to unlock, or until they are removed, there seems to be no intention to unlock the care homes. I will keep going. There are a growing number of MPs speaking out about the fraud that is being committed, the injustice that is being inflicted on so many. I live in hope that something will change soon and the truth will be revealed and we can be with our loved ones again.