Window visit worth the wait

When Mercy Place Colac resident Gwyneth Fisher was told that her granddaughter had named her new baby after Gwyn’s late husband Bill, the 92-year-old was filled with joy. However, it was a long five-month wait before the great-grandmother could meet the newest and very special addition to her family.

 

Baby Bill was born just weeks before the coronavirus second wave swept through Victoria. The Victorian Government introduced visitor restrictions in all residential aged care homes, which meant Gwyn was unable to meet her great-grandson.

However, once restrictions eased and it was considered safe to do so, Mercy Place Colac staff implemented window visits at the home, which allowed residents to see and speak with their loved ones through a window.

Five months after Bill’s birth, a delighted Gwyn met her great-grandson for the first time.

“It was wonderful to finally see him,” Gwyn says. “He’s a lovely little boy.”

Gwyn meeting her great-grandson Bill (being held by his mother Lauren)

The window visit was a special occasion, one that brought four generations of Gwyn’s family together.

“My son Ken came, and then my granddaughter Lauren and baby Bill all came to see me,” Gwyn says. “It was very special.”

Gwyn’s husband Bill served during World War II and passed away in October 2001. On hearing the news that her great-grandson was named in his honour, Gwyn was proud as punch.

“I was thrilled and very proud,” she says.

It was wonderful to finally see him. He’s a lovely little boy.

The day was equally special for Bill’s mum Lauren, who had been counting down the days before she could introduce her third son to his great-grandmother.

“It was a pretty frustrating time for all of us when we were unable to come to visit,” Lauren says. “Our town (Colac) experienced a coronavirus outbreak so we could understand the need to stop visitors to the home, but it was difficult not seeing grandma face-to-face.

“The last time I saw her was in February for her birthday. We did use video calls to see grandma throughout the restrictions and she saw Bill for the first time on a video call when he was three months old, but seeing her through the window was so much better. We all loved it.”

Gwyn enjoying a window visit from her son Ken

With coronavirus restrictions now eased further in Victoria, Mercy Place Colac has opened its doors to visitors again. “Lauren and Bill were among the first to take advantage of the new visiting hours”, says Mercy Place Colac Service Manager Toni Cuthbertson.

“Window visits and video calls were a great way for our residents to remain connected with their families,” she says. “But we all know that you can’t beat being in the same room with those you love.”