‘My wife wanted a hug but we can’t yet’: Pensioner on first care home visit in three months

An 82-year-old Belfast man who has not been able to visit his beloved wife in her care home for 12 weeks, due to coronavirus restrictions, was finally reunited with her yesterday.
William Barr visiting his wife Jean, a resident in Cregagh Nursing Home, Belfast, for the first time in 12 weeksWilliam Barr visiting his wife Jean, a resident in Cregagh Nursing Home, Belfast, for the first time in 12 weeks
William Barr visiting his wife Jean, a resident in Cregagh Nursing Home, Belfast, for the first time in 12 weeks

William Barr, who before lockdown had visited his wife, Jean, 84, every day at Cregagh Nursing Home, east Belfast, said the pair were “so glad to see each other”, after the Department of Health eased visiting rules to care homes and hospitals.

He said: “She wanted a hug, but I couldn’t do it – I had to stay within the two-metre distance.

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“She thought I was from outer space with all the PPE gear,” he laughed.

Gill Finlay, the manager at Cregagh Nursing Home, Belfast which has opened to visitors under tight restrictionsGill Finlay, the manager at Cregagh Nursing Home, Belfast which has opened to visitors under tight restrictions
Gill Finlay, the manager at Cregagh Nursing Home, Belfast which has opened to visitors under tight restrictions

“Hopefully the next step will be we can give each other a hug, as long as we don’t get another batch of it (Covid-19).”

Mr Barr added: “We were married 59 years on June 28, so I brought her a bunch of flowers today in recognition of our anniversary.

“Next year is our diamond anniversary, so I’m saving up for a diamond.”

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Mr Barr explained his wife has been a resident at Cregagh Nursing Home for two years.

“She had an aneurysm. She was in hospital and then she came here for respite care. She has a slight touch of dementia. Mostly she’s great, but she can’t walk.”

He said he and his wife, who have two daughters, had never been apart so long.

“We met at a dance in Lisburn and both worked in catering. We have never been apart. She’s a super girl, I’m very lucky.”

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During lockdown, Mr Barr, who was also shielding, said he missed his daily visits to see his wife.

“I would come in every day from 11am to 7pm to see her. They let me stay with her all day and I helped with her lunch and tea, which was great. I’ve missed that.

“It was hard, but the staff have been brilliant because I could speak to her every day on the phone.”

Mr Barr said his wife is aware of the coronavirus, but “doesn’t realise what’s happening outside”.

“She can’t come to terms with that – why I couldn’t visit.”

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Cregagh Nursing Home has 40 residents and remained Covid-free during the pandemic.

Manager Gill Finlay said reopening to visitors is a “worry”, but it hopes to facilitate every resident with a half-hour visit.

“We have been safe in our little bubble and now we have to re-pen our doors again. We are taking a measured approach. Some people might think we are being overly cautious, but I would rather do that than risk anything.

“We have had people just appeared this morning, wanting to come in and we have had to turn them away, which is difficult.”