LOCKDOWN IN A NURSING HOME IS LIKE PRISON
A PARALYSED woman who has spent more than a decade living in a nursing home has said that being confined to the facility during the pandemic felt like being in ‘prison’.
Julia Thurmann, 46, has been living in a nursing home in north Co. Dublin since September 2008 after she contracted a rare virus that left her paralysed from the waist down.
In recent years, Ms Thurmann has spoken out about the stress of living in a nursing home but life has never been more difficult since the arrival of Covid-19 four months ago.
To minimise the risk of an outbreak, residents in her facility have been urged not to leave or receive visitors in line with the Government’s health advice.
Speaking to the Irish Daily Mail, Ms Thurmann, a German national from Berlin, said that her mental health has been at an all-time low since being housebound from March 8.
‘Being trapped here for more than four months is a hell of a long time, especially when it’s an environment that’s totally unsuited for me,’ she said.
‘There’s no transport and I can’t go out anywhere, which really affects me since I’m quite sociable and have a strong network of friends. I even have a calendar in my room where I mark off each day with a pink X – it’s like being in prison.
‘Nursing homes are doing their best to avoid anyone contracting coronavirus, but people’s mental health is suffering greatly as a result. I don’t think the HSE could care less about people’s mental health.’
Ms Thurmann spent 11 months in the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dún Laoghaire before moving into the home.
It had been meant as a temporary measure but after years in limbo, Ms Thurmann was this week given the keys to a new home by Fingal County Council.
‘I couldn’t believe it and started crying when I realised that I was finally getting out of here.
‘My new home is in Swords, which is more than ideal since my work and all my friends are there. I haven’t even seen the place yet, but I’m so excited.’
Ms Thurmann has advised anyone in a similar situation to never give up hope.
‘I know there are many others like me, but it’s so important not to be disheartened and try to get as many people on your side as possible,’ she said.
‘I couldn’t have done this by myself and needed people in the know to advise and guide me step by step.
‘It might seem that there is no way out, but I’m living proof.
There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.’
Ms Thurmann had petitioned two successive health ministers, James Reilly and Leo Varadkar, for help, saying that her placement in the nursing home cost some €62,400 a year, amounting to more than €624,000 to date.
It is estimated that some 1,200 people under the age of 65 are living in nursing homes.