An elderly couple separated for over 120 days in a 'heartbreaking nightmare' due to housing shortages have finally been reunited.
Sheila Glass, 96, and her husband of 74 years, William Glass, 94, are now back together after over four months apart. After a lengthy ordeal the couple have just settled into their new home in Torpoint - just two minutes from their son-in-law, Mike Adams. The pair were forced to separate because of a shortage of housing and care options meant Sheila was unable to leave hospital - despite being medically fit to go home.
She was sent there after she broke her neck during a fall at her home - but because home the pair shared in Millbrook was declared unsafe by occupational therapists, she had to remain at Liskeard Hospital, in Cornwall, for over 120 days. After 'jumping through hoops' and 'heartbreaking stress', Bill and Sheila are back together and have just been moved into a new flat, with the help of their family.
Staff at Liskeard Hospital wished the pair farewell - and even gave the couple a parting gift: a China tea set, so they can enjoy a cup of tea together once again. Mike, who cared for Bill whilst his wife was stuck in hospital, said: "Bill and Sheila are so close and are elated to be out! But it has been the most stressful time ever.
Bill and Sheila leaving hospital - with their grandkids throwing 'a welcoming party' (Mike Adams/SWNS)"There's been lots of tears and upset from everyone throughout. But it was certainly tears of joy when we left the hospital - it was a very emotional homecoming. The nurses in the hospital were absolutely fantastic - they stood there and gave her a very very good send off: they collected and bought them a set of lovely china mugs.
Brit 'saw her insides' after being cut open by propeller on luxury diving trip
"So when they go into their new home they can enjoy a cup of tea together. It made Sheila feel so special - they were sad to see her go but so happy for her. They were all saying they wanted to see her again - not as a patient - but as a friend. She's a proper character and it's a testament to her character.
"I know they are going to be really happy there in their new home. Its a good news story and it's the positive ending everyone has been waiting to hear!" William and Sheila had rarely been apart until this time - apart from when William had to time away serving in the Royal Navy.
William visiting Sheila in hospital (Mike Adams/SWNS)Sheila was her husband's sole carer before her fall. Though the Glass family have now experienced this success - Mike says their story is just 'a tip of the iceberg' that points to a much wider issue around the housing crisis. Their situation highlighted a problem seen across the country, but particularly in south-west England, which has an older than average population.
A shortage of either social care or appropriate housing, has left many elderly people stuck, as Mike explains a patient who was next to Sheila in hospital was also bed-blocking - and waiting to be placed in social housing for several months. According to the BBC, recent figures showed about half of patients classed as fit to leave remained in Devon and Cornwall's hospitals at the end of a day.
Mike added: "We had to jump through hoops throughout this entire journey. Whilst we're very happy now, we are aware there is a massive problem out there - Cornwall is particularly bad, and I feel so bad for other families in similar situations. It's an awful situation that is going on and one the government haven't tackled, certainly our own MP was a waste of time.
William and Sheila Glass on their wedding day (Mike Adams/SWNS)"We had to do it all ourselves, but we are happy now." Sheila said: "I've been stuck in prison for 120 days! So I'm very relieved and happy to be out." After just a few days of settling into their new home, Mike explained they are already 'back to their old ways'. He added: "We bought Sheila and Bill a mobile phone with an Emergency SOS button on the back, which we set up with my number in case they ever needed us to get down to them.
"So you can imagine my panic the next morning at 5.55am when I was woken up with a phone call from Sheila, thinking 'oh no, what has happened now'. But it was only to hear Sheila say 'I want to try a new recipe for lunch, can you get me three red onions'. She was also disappointed when we went into our local store and no one asked her for her signature."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
