No visiting allowed in rehab units

[Bichou73]

Do you think no visiting has had a bad effect on both the patient and the close relatives? Even Skype contact has practicality been stopped. This is leading to anxiety and low mood. Anybody feels the same as me?

[F1951]

I completely agree, my husband hasn't had a proper visit for 10months and it's taken a terrible tole on his mental health, they are not prisoners they have not committed a crime! And he's still awaiting the vaccine after being told he was getting it in December!!

[cat3]

It's a serious problem for so many folk. My pal's visits to his mum in a care home have, for many months, consisted of talking on a mobile whilst waving through a window, but since the latest lockdown even that's no longer permitted. And for folk with dying loved ones in hospitals, unable to say their goodbyes, it's heartbreaking.

It obviously makes sense shielding elderly or vulnerable people from infection, but I hope that compromises can soon alleviate the stress and misery of separation. And the loss of skype contact makes no sense to me Bichou. If it's a staffing issue, surely unhappy patients/residents must make extra work for all concerned, whereas 15-20 mins of remote contact with a loved one could take the edge off their distress.

Strange and frightening times for many. Let's hope better testing facilities and successful vaccine roll-out will gradually bring better days for everyone.. x

[New_beginning]

I can only go by only first 4 days in lockdown in March, my husband was meant to stay on ward for few more weeks and then go neuro rehabilitation, his behaviour heightened too much which didnt help with low staff capacity he was too much at risk, and obsconded so many times police eventually found him, he was at start of PTA, which by end of July eased but traits for longer. I brought him home end of March i wasnt taking no for an answer.

Yes its been difficult in fact I have no words, im not in shock now but auto pilot still juggling.

No one visited until June despite stating daily visits would happen. The only issues that still occur, apart from all the haunting experience is the behavioral side i find really difficult, ive adjusted to short term memory, fatigue, stroke symptoms, take everything in my stride, or shall i say we both do.

But i have no regrets, everyone is different, but my husband would not be at this stage if i didnt challenge, he would of deterioriated. I cant even imagine him being 10mths down line in neuro rehabilitation, when he couldnt handle 4 days.

Though im 38, hes now 42 we have 2 children, and all family disappeared by end of May, friends went by August. Just this forum as my sole support. Brain injury team visit husband mainly on behaviour, coping mechanisms, fatigue management setting tasks on daily stuff many would take for granted.

Proud wife, exhausted wife, but on a mission

[Georgiab123]

Yes my son has a head injury due with getting attacked, he’s in a care home I can only see him at his window he can’t understand about the virus as he’s safe inside but it’s wearing me out not seeing to him x

[Trevor78]

When this pandemic is over then there will be a huge list things that must not happen again if there is another. The inability to see people in such circumstance will be very high up that list.

[Dvorak]

I agree it is really harmful. My friend is in a care home and cannot speak so phone is not possible and video calling too complicated so she is completely isolated. It is harming her already fragile mental health. I don't know what could be done differently but it is stressful all round

[Darcy5900]

Yes definitely. It must be like being in prison! I haven't been able to see my close friend since October. Its just awful. Constant worry about him, and I know his mood will be low. Its not normal to be in such isolation.

[123Bereft]

Yes, this is me, yesterday it took 2 hours for them to answer the phone, it literally broke me. My partner tested positive for covid on Friday too and Skype is torturous because he has no speech. I long for every day to end because it brings us closer to the end of this nightmare.

[Bichou73 in reply to 123Bereft]

Be strong! There must be lots of us suffering in silence from this lack of contact with our loved ones. It adds to the stress of worrying about their medical condition and rehab prospects. Remember the advice to call Headway if you want to talk to someone about brain injury. I am not sure if that is your case or not. All the best! Think positive!😀

[123Bereft in reply to Bichou73]

Thank you, you too.

[Pairofboots]

Undoubtedly it is detrimental to the ideal of moral, but under the current pandemic, there is the need to protect patients. Hopefully this will be resolved to a point with the rollout of the vaccine.