To be in tears over this?

[HumanFemale1]

This is so inhumane. What has been done to elderly during this time will stay with me forever.

[Topseyt]

I agree that it is inhumane. I am hoping that with the current news about vaccines there may now be light at the end of the tunnel.

It must seem like a miserable existence to people such as this poor old man. I wish there were an easy solution.

[Jrobhatch29]

How awful

[kittensarecute]

How cruel. Social distancing goes against everything that makes us human. It needs to be ditched.

[Whatelsecouldibecalled]

It’s beyond awful

[flowerycurtain]

I agree. I think we treat our pets better than our elderly in this country.

I'm not sure what the answer is though - I don't think there is one but dear lord it's awful for some home residents and their families.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

Maybe he doesnt want to risk contacting covid, he looks pretty vulnerable. Just because he is elderly and uses a wheelchair doesnt mean his life has no worth and he's happy to give it all up for one more visit with the grandchildren. Maybe he thinks its worth hanging on another couple of months for a vaccine.

[TheFormidableMrsC]

I cried at the news earlier where a woman was trying to speak to her elderly mum who had dementia over and iPad and mum was simply unable to engage and daughter was crying and it was on camera and it was just fucking awful.

[pontypridd]

Why are we doing this to our parents and loved ones?

Who wants to end their days in isolation, separated from their family? This is not life.

Death is preferable to this.

[kittensarecute]

@pontypridd

Why are we doing this to our parents and loved ones?

Who wants to end their days in isolation, separated from their family? This is not life.

Death is preferable to this.

I'm almost glad my grandparents are no longer here. 😢😢

[awishes]

@pontypridd how can you say death is preferable. There are vaccines in the pipeline, why give up now after months of shielding.

[pontypridd]

Yes - my grandma died just before COVID-19. She was in a care home.

I’m so glad she missed this and died with us all around her.

[Christmasbiscuit]

😭
Surely they could let them stand elsewhere so he could see them.

[Porcupineinwaiting]

Your death @pontypridd? Or just other people's?

[FizzyDizzy121]

It's really tough at the min. I'd rather be socially distanced and get to see my family when things get better (e.g. lower cases/vaccine etc) than dead

[Lepetitpiggy]

I'm in the glad my mum died last year camp. I don't know how either of us would have managed if I hadn't visited her daily in her care home. It would have been horrific. My heart breaks for them all.

[SonjaMorgan]

My grandfather can't have very long left. He is on his own and it is miserable. He has said he would rather risk getting covid than continuing like this.

[IncludeWomenInTheSequel]

@pontypridd

Why are we doing this to our parents and loved ones?

Who wants to end their days in isolation, separated from their family? This is not life.

Death is preferable to this.

Well presumably because we don't want our family members to die alone gasping for air.

[Topseyt]

@pontypridd

Why are we doing this to our parents and loved ones?

Who wants to end their days in isolation, separated from their family? This is not life.

Death is preferable to this.

Totally agree.

I have an old friend who is in end of life care and it was suggested that they should shield during the first lockdown due to being extremely vulnerable. They chose not to for just this sort of reason, and for fear of never seeing family again. I totally understand that.

[HelloitsmeMargaret]

Oh come on @Porcupineinwaiting the average length of stay in a care home is two years. To be without your family for half of that time? Knowing that time is precious?

The first travesty was allowing the virus to rampage care homes, the second was assuming residents could wait it out in the same way most other people can.

[Eng123]

Take a step back here. I haven't seen my parents since June. The haven't seen their grandchildren since late 19 ( surgery lead to quarantine pre covid). Social distancing is the only tool in the box at the moment. I like being able to pick up the phone to my parents so no, I'd not consider death a better alternative. I'm sure care homes are doing their best, the highlights case doesn't look great but was there an alternative?

[YellowPostItPad]

We are doing it to protect them from COVID which can kill elderly people.

[Northernsoullover]

I don't agree with a free for all with visiting but surely there is more that can be done? Wrap up and sit in a well ventilated indoor area? I've seen one home has made a visiting booth.

[HelloitsmeMargaret]

@Eng123 your parents have likely got years ahead of them with their children.

Also, no-one is suggesting that Covid is just allowed in, families should be prioritised for testing and PPE so they can be with their loved ones. This could have been in place months and months ago.

[Henio]

@pontypridd

Why are we doing this to our parents and loved ones?

Who wants to end their days in isolation, separated from their family? This is not life.

Death is preferable to this.

I think if you actually spoke to a lot of elderly people they'd disagree with your last sentence

[Doglovesbooks]

My grandad passed away in December, I wasn’t able to get over in time, but so very glad my mum and auntie were there by his bedside and so glad he didn’t have to witness all this 😢