Awful isolation

While much fuss has been made, rightly, over Covid sufferers being returned to care homes, there has been little coverage of the treatment of residents in Covid-free homes who have been suffering solitary confinement for the past months.

Even for a younger person this would have been intolerable. For one suffering from dementia this is even more distressing.

This week an elderly friend was finally allowed to see her husband for 30 minutes. She duly arrived at the appointed hour. After a five-minute wait she was dressed in protective gear. She then waited a further five minutes before her husband was ushered in, at which point she was brusquely told to keep her distance.

By now 20 of the 30 minutes has elapsed. Furthermore, her husband had not been told that he was going to see his wife and he promptly burst into tears. They begged for further time and were allowed two extra minutes. This treatment is inexcusable.

This morning I received a letter from Scottish Veterans Residences which describes the activities they are providing for their pensioner residents, such as gardening and baking. Are aged former members of the Services more resilient than elderly civilians? It is surely time to stop this inhumane isolation.

ROSEMARY MCDOUGALL

Pathhead, Midlothian