Josie lives at Ashlyn Care Home in Essex and this week was delighted when her son, Dave, and daughter, Nellie came to surprise her with a visit.
During the height of the pandemic, visits with loved ones were put on hold to help limit the spread of COVID-19. These usual face-to-face visits were replaced with virtual visits using video calling apps and although they were understood and enjoyed, everyone was longing for the day they could welcome their family back into their home.
As restrictions began to ease and family visits were resumed with a single, nominated visitor, joy and smiles spread around the care home. In the latest ease of the restrictions, it was announced that residents could welcome two visitors at a time, which was brilliant news for the people of Ashlyn.
After seeing this, Josie’s children wasted no time in arranging a time they could both stop by to visit their mum. Josie had no idea they had this planned, so when they both arrived to visit her, she was absolutely delighted.
Although they were required to wear full PPE, seeing them both in the same room was very special for Josie and her family. They enjoyed having a much-needed catch-up and even shed a few tears of Joy.
It was wonderful to see families reuniting with their loved ones and laughing together again. We look forward to welcoming more families into Ashlyn as we celebrate this stride closer to normality.