Falkirk area care home residents and relatives meet indoors for first time in a year

Family members were given access to loved ones at Carrondale Care Home in Carron today as the lifting of government restrictions meant visitors could have meaningful contact with their nearest and dearest.

With more than 99.9 per cent of older care home residents and 92 per cent of staff having received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine nationally, the Beaumont Drive facility is following all guidelines so families can finally be reunited.

Carrondale Care Home is currently able to provide ten visits per day.

Among those who embraced each other were resident Sybil Dow and daughter Val Williamson.

Ms Williamson said: “I was anxious but very emotional.

“I was in the room just a few minutes and after we got cuddles out the road she was giving orders to tidy my drawers!

“It was lovely to hold her hand and see her face to face. I was overwhelmed.”

Ms Dow, who’s lived at Carrondale since May, said she felt “enclosed” until she saw her daughter’s face again and added: “I was very, very emotional. I was so pleased.

“It’s the best thing in the world. I can’t thank the staff enough.”

Shiona Gillies was visited by son Ian, who stays just a few doors down in Beaumont Drive.

Ian said: “It was great to be with my mum again.

Watch: The Voice winner Craig Eddie discusses his victory and reveals future aspirations

https://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/politics/council/visitor-centre-and-82-bungalows-planned-near-dunmore-pineapple-3174140

“It’s been quite difficult but it was amazing to hold her hand and I’m so grateful to all the staff for what they’ve done throughout this difficult time.

“It was very emotional for us both.”

Since last March, Karen Patrick has only been able to see her sister Elaine Buchanan via video calls and through the window.

Ms Buchanan said: “The visit went so well. I was full of emotion.

“Being able to hold her hand again was just amazing. I knew she was getting well looked after.

“It was just a worry not to see her and hold her hand.”

Her sister added: “I was very happy and emotional. I really enjoyed the visit.”

Ros Qualters, daughter of Rose Cowan, made the most of being able to reflect on the good times with her mother.

She said: “I sat in my mum’s room and looked at all her pictures and reminisced.”

Rose said she missed holding her daughter’s hand.

Overwhelmed Dennis O’Donnell was given the chance to sit with his wife Diane O’Donnell.

He said: “It’s been a very long time. I had tears of joy.

“To hold her hand meant the world to me.”

Kathy Hamilton was reunited with son Alan, who said: “I was so happy and emotional to see her and hold my mum’s hand for the first time in a year.”

Kathy said: “I was so pleased to get a cuddle from my boy.”

Linda Stewart, Carrondale health and well-being coordinator, added: “The staff were a wee bit apprehensive but so excited that all the families were reunited.”

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/nord/dm/FKH/V