Elderly in UK care home embrace technology to beat coronavirus lockdown

Resident Enid Roche takes a walk in the grounds of Foxholes Care Home, assisted by activities director Susan Davies as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

Residents in a British care home are embracing technology to stay in touch with friends and family as the country faces the possibility of weeks of lockdown amid the coronavirus epidemic.

One newcomer to video-calling is 84-year-old Minnie Copping, a resident at Foxholes Care Home in Hertfordshire, north of London.

Resident Pat Tolson chats via Facebook Portal to her family, helped by estate manager Neil Gandecha at the Foxholes Care Home as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

"It's absolutely marvellous because she's my best daughter. I've only got one, mind you, but she's the best daughter I've ever had," Copping said after a 10-minute, laughter-filled chat with her daughter Sandra.

"Oh it's so, so reassuring for all of us, all the family. Just to be able to see her and know that she's happy. It just makes our lives so much easier because if you haven't got the contact, the normal contact, you feel lost," Sandra Copping told Reuters via video call.

Foxholes said they bought the Facebook Portal system to make video calling easier for their residents, who range in age from under 50 to over 100.

Resident Minnie Copping chats via Facebook Portal to her daughter Sandra at the Foxholes Care Home as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

"Some people will get a phone call but they can't hear their family member at the end of that line so for them to be actually able to see that face and see their lips moving is really, really important," Suzie Strange, Deputy Manager at Foxholes Care Home said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday ordered people to stay at home, shops to close and an end to all social gatherings to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

The restrictions, which will last for at least three weeks, were brought in to prevent the state-run National Health Service (NHS) from being overwhelmed.

Resident Minnie Copping chats via Facebook Portal to her daughter Sandra at the Foxholes Care Home as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

Under the curbs on movement, people should leave their homes only for limited reasons such as going to supermarkets for vital supplies or for exercise once a day.

(Editing by Mike Collett-White)

Resident Minnie Copping chats via Facebook Portal to her daughter Sandra, helped by activities director Susan Davies at the Foxholes Care Home as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

Resident Pat Tolson chats via Facebook Portal to her family, helped by activities director Susan Davies at the Foxholes Care Home as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

Resident Enid Roche takes a walk in the grounds of Foxholes Care Home, assisted by activities director Susan Davies as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

Resident Pat Tolson chats via Facebook Portal to her grandchildren at the Foxholes Care Home as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

Resident Brian Orchard chats via Facebook Portal to his family at the Foxholes Care Home as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

Resident Brian Orchard holds his walking stick as he chats via Facebook Portal to his family at the Foxholes Care Home as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Hitchin, Britain March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley