AVENS has extended a lockdown for its long-term care residents after a new case of Covid-19 was diagnosed earlier this month.

The extension takes the lockdown to Nov. 28.

For some, like Bruce Christensen, the measure creates a barrier for family and friends to spend time with loved ones.

SA国际影视传媒淢y grandmother is in AVENS, in one of the cottages,SA国际影视传媒� said Christensen. SA国际影视传媒淥n and off, weSA国际影视传媒檝e been able to go see her and, due to Covid restrictions, not being able to see her.SA国际影视传媒�

Though the recent lockdown extension put a damper on ChristensenSA国际影视传媒檚 spirits, it has led to the creation of a temporary alternative.

Through discussions with another family member, the idea came about to create a support group for those going through a similar situation.

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 are a lot of people struggling with not being able to see their family members, and the support group is for family members who have members of their family or friends at AVENS. (ItSA国际影视传媒檚) just so that they can talk through, privately and confidentially, their experiences and their feelings on the situation,SA国际影视传媒� Christensen explained. SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e all in silos. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e writing out to our MLAs. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e writing health ministers. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e trying to reach out and find out what the status is on our family members or whatnot. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 quite a frustrating process.SA国际影视传媒�

The predicament can get tensions running high, he acknowledged.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not by any way a counsellor, but I do carry those emotions and feelings,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 feel that, as a group of people that are going through the same experience, we really do need to come together, even just talk about it at a minimum.SA国际影视传媒�

The reaction to the support group has been quite positive, according to Christensen.

SA国际影视传媒淗ow I really feel about it is that itSA国际影视传媒檚 a good thing that people understand that this is happening,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 really a disconnection between families SA国际影视传媒� (but) it looks like the community is coming together on the idea and itSA国际影视传媒檚 bringing awareness to the situation, which is the big thing for me.SA国际影视传媒�