Husband of Scarborough care home resident says Covid pandemic was difficult for him
The UK's Covid inquiry is continuing
The husband of a care home resident in Scarborough says the Covid pandemic was very difficult for him.
As the UK's inquiry continues, 76-year-old Alan Ashton has been telling us what it was like trying to see his wife 76-year-old Susan, who has dementia.
She is currently being looked after at Saint Cecilia's.
Alan said: "There was no visiting whatsoever. The home was on lockdown so we were able to have video calls, which was quite difficult because my wife is now non-verbal so she doesn't speak. It was in the summer where we were allowed outdoor visits.
"Before Covid I used to go in six days a week to help feed her lunch and she ate more with me than she did with the carers, but because of the length of time we were unable to do that, the carers became more like her family.
"We got to the stage where she doesn't know me and she doesn't recognise me and that would have happened anyway, but I think that was accelerated because of Covid and it's a terrible thing. We've been married 53 years.
"Although she doesn't speak and she doesn't really understand anything, you do get little glimmers of light in her eyes and the odd smile, which is wonderful to see because you think 'oh, there's a little bit of recognition there' and where there is or not we don't know but you just hope that there is.
"When you're wearing gloves, not being able to have that physical contact it's very hard and not being able to give her a little kiss. We have gotten through it and unfortunately Covid isn't going away. It's still here. We just have to learn to live with it."