Residents reunite with family members as nursing facilities allow outdoor visits

Residents reunite with family members as nursing facilities allow outdoor visits

More and more things are opening across the hoosier state as restrictions contuine to losen.

This means residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities can now see their loved ones face to face.

News 10's jada huddlestun shares more.

Jad} families with loved ones in nursing homes have been impacted during this pandemic.

But now..

Some are able to experience that special reunion.

This is ken mathews.

He's been a resident at silver birch in terre haute for the last four months.

Mathews says adapting during the pandemic has been a challenge..

And not getting to see family in person has been difficult.

"it was rough.

Most of my family live out in pennsylvania, but i do keep in touch with them on skype and phone call the everyday."

Restrictions are loosening as the state re-opens... this means residents like mathews can see family in-person.

"i saw my grandson this past sunday.

We got to visit for a couple of hours.

// i was overjoyed.

I enjoyed seeing him, yeah.

It's been since january was the last time i've seen the boy."

Staff members say they've done their best to fill the void.

"for our residents, they choose to come here instead of a nursing home, because they have a little bit more freedom, but that also means they have a lot more family involvement, so without the families allowed to come in, our staff has really stepped up to take those extra measures to provide the care and things the residents need in their absence."

Mathews says it's been difficult to navigate the pandemic without family nearby..

But, he's glad he wasn't alone in this journey.

"the other residents are really good people.

The staff is magnificent.

I mean, i couldn't ask for any better staff to live under."

Temperatire checks..

Wearing a mask..

And social distancing are all required during these visits.

Silver birch is also working on a plan to begin indoor visits in the coming months.

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