Homes for the elderly are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, so many are taking extensive steps to prevent the disease from entering their facilities. Unfortunately, this means many older residents cannot have visitors or interact with family and friends outside their homes. One Dutch elderly home addressed this issue by designing their own COVID-19 visitation room which protects visitors while still allowing them to interact with their loved ones.
The space consists of a small cabin that separates visitors from residents with a large glass wall and is equipped with comfortable seating and a speaker system to enable communication. Residents simply enter from one side and visitors from the other.
The elderly home is located in Wassenaar, Netherlands where social distancing measures have been in place since March 16. The home says that given the time since residents have seen friends and family in person, many of the visits are quite emotional and filled with joy.
Given the cabin’s success, the home will continue to take appointments for outsiders to come to visit their loved ones. This simple yet innovative way to facilitate connection during a time of distance is a great strategy for boosting morale.
