Residents at RMBI Care Co. Home Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court, in Porthcawl, were overjoyed to be reunited with their loved ones this week after four months without visitors.
The Home is among the first in the country to install a COVID-secure visiting room, to enable residents to meet safely with their families again.
Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court closed its doors to all but essential visitors before lockdown to protect its residents. Staff have worked tirelessly to ensure residents have had regular contact with their families by ‘phone or video call, but close up, face to face conversations have not been possible.
The newly created, partitioned space has an airtight, Perspex screen to ensure the safety of residents, their families, and the Home’s staff. Visitors enter and exit from outside the Home to minimise the risk of infection. Residents access the room from a different door from inside the Home.
The room has an intercom system to allow residents and their visitors to speak with each other easily. Both sides of the room are deep cleaned between each visit.
The room has been installed thanks to the generosity of the Association of Friends of Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court.
Among the residents thrilled to be able to have visitors again was Connie Jones, who was celebrating her 82nd birthday. She was overjoyed to be reunited with her sister, Grace, for the first time in four months.
Connie said: “It was wonderful to be able to see my sister again after such a long time. It was the best birthday present I could have wished for!”
Grace Almroth, said: “It was fantastic being able to see my sister at last, just in time for her birthday! The visiting room is great, the whole experience was really positive. The Home has done a brilliant job looking after Connie through the pandemic, I can’t have asked for more.”
Home Manager, Alison Aberdeen, said: “It means the world to our residents to be able to have their loved ones visit and chat to them. In normal times, they are able to have visitors whenever they like, so not being able to do that has been heart-breaking for everyone.
“We’re all looking forward to the day when they can hug each other, but until then, we hope that our new secure visiting room will make it a bit easier for our residents and their families.”
RMBI Home Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court is run by RMBI Care Co., part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation. The Home is currently able to safely welcome new residents. For more information, please visit: http://www.rmbi.org.uk/