Visiting care home with cold

[user163296648]

I've come down with a heavy cold or flu overnight, achey limbs, headache, upset stomach etc. I'm meant to fly home tomorrow and visit dad in care home over christmas. Would you go? I think I shouldn't go, my sister says go. Am I being over cautious?

See if you can (also) join an activity by video call (if he ever joins in). Seeing your dad distracted and perhaps enjoying himself could be really reassuring.

Not if he can't join in of course.

If you're talking about 'flying home' to the UK, every other person here seems to have flu/RSV/Covid/noro right now. You won't be the only one forced not to see a loved one in a care home at Christmas so don't feel bad about it. If your dad has dementia, Christmas won't mean as much as it did in any case. Can you postpone to the NY?

Send him a nice card saying how sorry you were, but you’ve got a cold/flu/pneumonia (amplify as necessary) and WEREN’T ALLOWED to visit.

Repeat the message loud and wide around your family. Ring the care home manager if you feel you need the weight of evidence on your side.

@MereDintofPandiculation the way i feel today they can all just get stuffed while I wallow in flu-ey self pity. Not a single one of them has asked how I am and I feel SHIT

It's definitely flu not a cold. It's a struggle to even get out of bed so I'm going nowhere. Screw Christmas 🤒

Take yourself to bed with a flask of the hot drink of your choice and just stay there. Hope you're feeling better soon. (But don't be too quick to advertise the fact if you are).

Hope you feel much better soon, look after yourself and rest up !