It’s no secret that 2020 has been a very difficult year for people all over the world. From the very start of the year, people were worried about the growing threat of COVID-19. As months went by, things got much worse and eventually, we were in the midst of a global pandemic. Due to this, many individuals were separated from their loved ones for an extended period of time.
While COVID-19 impacted everyone, specific groups of people were at a higher risk.
Individuals with compromised immune systems or those who are above a certain age were at severely high risks of contracting COVID-19 and were told to stay away from most family members.
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Many families went months without seeing parents and grandparents due to these risks.
Still, even as months have gone by since the initial spike in COVID-19 cases, individuals are still taking precautionary measures and socially distancing from their elderly family members entirely.
This is incredibly difficult, especially for those who are in nursing homes and facilities with people at risk.
It’s hard to really be able to showcase love and affection for your family over a computer or phone screen. Many people have been looking for ways to remain close to their loved ones while also protecting them.
Recently, one care home came up with an incredible way to bring families together again.
Hallamshire Care Home in the United Kingdom came up with something they are referring to as “visiting nooks” that are perfect for families who are socially distancing for COVID-19.
The visiting nooks keep families distanced behind glass so that no germs can pass through.
However, by using gloves, and even headphones for some residents, family members can finally hug each other for the first time in what feels like forever.
After using the nook for one week, the care home said everyone loved it.
“Well, we have come to the end of our first week of using our new visiting nook. We are thrilled with how it has worked out! It is warm, safe, distanced, plus we have the special section with the hugging mitts, which allows our residents to have a hug from their families, or hold hands in a safe way, whilst following the government guidelines. Our nook gets steam sanitised after every visit, and disposable gloves are used inside the mitts,” they wrote on Facebook.
In the photos posted to Facebook, it’s clear to see that people absolutely loved it.
The smiles on their faces and the emotion can truly be felt through each and every photo that Hallamshire Care Home shared on Facebook. What a wonderful idea this is!
People online also loved it.
“That is so wonderful to see family able to visit their loved ones. Thanks to the inventor and the home for installing it,” one person said in the comment section.
Others had “mixed emotions” over it, being a bit sad that COVID-19 is still restricting us all from our loved ones.
“This makes me happy and sad all at the same time. I am so happy that these loved ones were actually able to touch each other even if it was through gloves,” one person wrote.
