Visitors of a care home located in the UK have been allowed to touch their beloved relatives with the help of coronavirus-proof hugging mittens.
The new creation consists of a glass screen that separates care home residents from their visitors. In order for the relatives to be allowed to touch their family members, the window features two holes with large black gloves which allow people to hold hands.
The new approach comes as the nation has been facing another total lockdown amid a surge of coronavirus cases.
As concerned people warned prior to the lockdown, banning relatives from visiting their family members once again would violate “fundamental human rights.”
As a solution, the Hallamshire Care Home came up with the so-called hugging mittens which allow family members to touch each other and hold hands without any risks.
“It’s been so well received by all the residents and their families – they can actually touch again and hold hands,” Scott Melville, the manager of the home for the aged, expressed.
“It’s going beyond touching a window or through plastic, they’re actually able to sit and safely hold hands with loved ones that they haven’t been able to for six, seven, eight or nine months.
“Contact is the most important thing, especially with loved ones – it’s what’s been really missing throughout care homes in recent months.”
As the manager of 13 years added, residents with dementia now have better chances of recognizing their relatives and remembering precious moments through touch.
“As much as our residents have different forms of dementia, they can still recognize or have some emotional reaction to touch, a cuddle or a handhold,” Melville added.
“When that comes from someone that they may not initially recognize, but the emotion is still inside them, you can see the look on their faces that it means something.”
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Replaced!