Posted
24 April 2020
Barnes Lodge Resident Beats Coronavirus
Jack Angus contracted Coronavirus and has now beaten it, being able to rejoin his fellow residents at Barnes Lodge today.
Jack, who turned 90 earlier this month, showed symptoms of Covid-19 and staff ensured he was tested, unfortunately the results came back positive. Two weeks later Jack has made a full recovery.
Barnes Lodge care home, in Tudeley Lane, Tonbridge had already put measures in place to protect their residents, which includes family members being unable to visit their loved ones. Whilst it was extremely worrying that Jack had caught Coronavirus, staff took it in their stride and were determined to see him through it.
It is a credit to the team at Barnes Lodge that Jack has come out of isolation stronger than ever, holding a sign of thanks to staff as they wheeled him excitedly through the home singing Peter Kay’s version of (Is This the Way to) Amarillo. Jack and the staff cheered and clapped, proud to have beaten Covid-19 and being able to end his period of isolation.
It has been particularly tough for Jack’s family, who have been unable to visit him for many weeks now.
Jack’s daughter, Sue Whiteing, has been missing her Dad, particularly whilst he has been unwell. Sue said: “The staff have been wonderful, so supportive. As you can imagine it has been a huge worry and very stressful. We were so relieved that Dad has recovered, and so swiftly! I just can’t thank the Barnes Lodge team enough, they are so efficient, kind and caring.”
Nicky Pett, General Manager of Barnes Lodge said: “Staff have done an incredible job caring for Barnes Lodge residents and keeping everyone calm and safe. They truly go above and beyond the duty of care, watching them keep all our residents in touch with their loved ones during such a difficult time has made me so proud. I can’t thank them enough for their amazing efforts in this challenging time.”
Leon Steer, Chief Executive of Rapport Housing and Care said: “I am overjoyed that Jack has fully recovered from Coronavirus and is able to spend time again with his fellow residents at Barnes Lodge.
I have the privilege of working with hundreds of incredibly special colleagues across Kent who compassionately care for our very vulnerable residents living with dementia and have needed to provide this same level of empathy for residents with Coronavirus. Everyone who is caring for a person with this terrible illness is a hero, to care for a very vulnerable person like Jack who is also living with dementia is immeasurably valiant – I am enormously proud of all my colleagues during this extremely difficult time.”