Visits give Christmas cheer to residents
ANEW milestone at Half Acre House care home in Rochdale was the perfect Christmas gift. The house had all things in place to welcome back residents’ family members under the revised risk assessments.
To mark the momentous occasion, the home held a ribbon cutting.
Owner Anita Lewis said: “Our first visitor was Neil Williams who was so relieved to visit his mother Joan inside the house and give her that long awaited, welcome hug.
“He said: ‘This is the best Christmas present ever’, and she said: ‘You have made my day.’ What a happy reunion!
“Visitors have strict guidance to their visits to adhere to, which includes a coronavirus test, followed by lateral flow test one hour before entry.
“Full PPE equipment must be worn and gaps between each visitor have to be made to allow for full cleaning schedules of the visitor room.
“This is a strange year , but at least one member from each family can now meet up with their loved one once per week , to renew those much-needed and long awaited face to face contacts.
“This is ‘the small step for man and the giant leap for mankind’ that has been a long, long time coming.
“Staff and residents are all looking forward to better days of freedom in 2021.”
Manager Elesha Greaves said: “We have a designated area in the home for people to visit.
“It was absolutely amazing fantastic for the residents to see their loved ones.
“In the few days that we have had people in you can see the lift in the residents and their well-being improve.
“They have really missed their families.
“We have had visitors look in through the windows but it’s just the human touch and being able to hug your relatives.”