Townsville seniors make the most of spending time with children and grandchildren

After spending three months in self isolation at home caring for her adult son, one Townsville woman said 2020 delivered a Mother’s Day like no other. SEE THE GALLERY >>>

Mother's Day at Anzac Park; Allison Lambert with kids Audrey 12 and Kaiden Lambert 10 with Grandma Carmel McGrath

After spending three months in self isolation and caring for her adult son, one Townsville woman said 2020 delivered a Mother’s Day like no other.

With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions now allowing for picnics, Margaret Murcott said nothing would stop her getting out to enjoy the fresh air with her two adult children.

“It’s been nearly three months at home, I got a flu and wanted to be safe and then Adam broke his hip and I care for him,” she said.

“My daughter has done a picnic and it’s just so nice to get out in the fresh air.

“Family is everything and I never thought for one second this (coronavirus) would happen in my lifetime.”

The coronavirus pandemic has placed particular focus on seniors, with the Federal and State Government’s public health advice advising that people aged 70 years and over, or those aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems are at greater risk of contracting the deadly virus.

MOTHER’S DAY BY THE STRAND >>>

Mother's Day at Anzac Park; Lauren Armstrong and Ross Mead with Evelyn Mead 3m

Mother's Day at Anzac Park; Ashlie Markham and Padraig Hawker with Thomas Hawker 3

Mother's Day at Anzac Park; Peter and Sarah Muller with kids Orla 4 and Dane 2

Mother's Day at Anzac Park; Allison Lambert with kids Audrey 12 and Kaiden Lambert 10 with Grandma Carmel McGrath

Mother's Day at Anzac Park; Kris and Danielle Hodder with Austin 17m

Mother's Day at Anzac Park; Sarah and Maxwell Lee 4

With most nursing homes enforcing strict disease control and social distancing measures that only allow for one visitor per day and no child under the age of 16, it has meant that celebrating with relatives wasn’t possible for thousands of people living in aged care homes in Townsville and the region.

In 2018, the Australian Institute of Welfare and Health estimated more than 1.2 million people aged 65 and older received aged care services, with most receiving support in their home.

This has meant during COVID-19, many grandparents have had to make the tough decision to stay home and avoid seeing their grandchildren.

Among those was Townsville resident Carmel McGrath and although she wasn’t able to catch up with all of her grandchildren on Mother’s Day, she’s thankful she was able to hug and enjoy two of them.

“We’re making up for time because we haven’t been able to see each other,” she said.

“It’s lovely having a daughter here and my other daughter is in Melbourne and my son is in Canberra so it’s lovely to have one here.

“We’ve kept away and other than doing FaceTime from time to time we haven’t seen them.”

Originally published as Townsville seniors make the most of spending time with children and grandchildren