As the number of people infected with the new coronavirus continues to increase, many medical institutions and facilities for the elderly continue to limit visits to prevent infection.
On the other hand, as the corona disaster has lasted for nearly three years, there are moves to explore ways to restrict visitation at each facility, such as allowing face-to-face visits only for elderly people who are approaching the end of their lives. I'm here.
At Showaen, a special nursing home for the elderly in Saitama City, after the spread of the new coronavirus infection, it was temporarily prohibited to meet the elderly residents and their families, and after that, it was limited to online or through glass. continued to be restricted.
However, from January this year, we have reviewed the response so that only elderly people who have entered the last care of their lives can meet face-to-face with their families.
The visitation is limited to 20 minutes in a room near the entrance of the facility to avoid contact with other elderly residents, and the family visits the facility after making a reservation in advance, disinfects their hands and measures their temperature before entering the room. Measures such as entering are thorough.
On the 25th, Kazuko Kato, who lives in Saitama City, visited her 89-year-old mother.
Kato's mother lost her physical strength after a stroke, and it became difficult for her to eat for a while.
Until now, Ms. Kato was only able to meet online, so it was thought that it was difficult to understand the reason and situation that her mother had to communicate over the screen. was avoiding the use of
However, on this day, I was able to directly hold my hand and rub my body, and I was able to hold my ear close to my mother, whose voice was low, to hear what she was saying, and when I spoke, I was able to have a conversation with her, laughing and laughing. I was able to see the change in facial expressions, such as embarrassment.
Mr. Kato said, "At first, I was unsure if I should hold my mother's hand in Corona, but I was able to feel that I was fine today with the strength to hold it back. I think it's important, so I want you to continue in the future."
In addition, Naoyoshi Nozaki, director of the facility, said, "Although I was worried about Corona, I thought it was important to make time for the person and his family to spend time together at the end of his life, so I started working on it. I think it's time for us to reconsider how we should visit and interact with families as much as possible, as the response to the situation is changing."