A LOVING husband was reunited with his wife after 16 weeks as an Ayr care home brought families back together for the first time since lockdown.

Jim Roddy, 77, wore full PPE as he got the chance to see his wife Elizabeth, 82, on Friday, July 3 after his last visit way back in March.

Elizabeth has been in the home for two years with Alzheimer’s and the emotional reunion ended the longest time the couple had ever been apart in 48 years.

The visit was made possible thanks to Templeton House care home who geared up to allow families to reunite with loved ones after the three months hiatus, in a safe environment.

Jim, a former newspaper photographer, told the Advertiser: “I remember the last time I saw my Elizabeth. It was on Friday, March 13, it was extremely emotional.

“I was in visiting through her lunch around 1pm and I was told by Michelle that they were closing at 2pm.

“That was a real blow, I just felt disheartened, but I remember walking out wondering what was happening.

“The staff were standing there, they told me ‘we’ll look after her’. They were true to their word – they have been absolutely brilliant, I can’t thank them enough.”

“I just can’t wait for the day the whole family can come in and we can hug her, and I can hold her again.”

Jim added: “If I could say one word that would describe those 16 weeks it would be hard. It was so difficult.

“The longest we’ve ever been apart is two weeks. I would visit her four days a week, it was so difficult just to have that cut off.”

“The care home always made sure I knew what was going on. There was one nurse would phone me when Elizabeth was singing just so I could hear her.

“I kept missing the calls, but one night at 6.30 I picked up and the nurse said she’s ‘singing her heart out’. That gave me so much satisfaction and peace.”

On the day of the visit Jim and his wife both sang hymns to each other, and despite heavy downpours there was nothing that could dampen their spirits.

Jim said: “We sang hymns together. We are both Christians. She immediately responded to that.”

“When the day came that I knew I could see her again I was delighted.

“To me the more important thing is when your allowed to hug your wife again.”

Care Home manager Michelle Sommerville said: “Today was emotional and truly lovely to watch the reaction of a special couple reunite after 16 weeks.

“The staff team at Templeton have worked their socks off, ensuring that everyone has remained in some form of contact over the lockdown.”

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