There's a sense of excitement in the corridors of HarbisonCare in Burradoo.
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An new installation means that residents are now able to have face-face-catch ups with their loved ones.
A visitors' pod was officially opened near the front entrance of the retirement village on May 25.
The first person booked in to use the pod, was visitor Judith Vasilakis who was also on hand to officially open the facility.
Ms Vasilakis was eager to sit down for an 'in-person' catch up with her father, John Bennett.
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Unfortunately Mr Bennett was feeling under the weather on the day so the catch up had to be postponed.
She said she was fortunate to live just up the road from HarbisonCare and was keen to return for a visit when her father was feeling better.
Another HarbisonCare resident, Frank Piper happily jumped in to help open the new visitors' pod.
Frank is among the many residents excited about the new initiative.
He said that he liked that it looked like a "little home away from home".
"It looks very comfortable and inviting," he said.
"I don't have many friends or family, but it would be good to catch up with my sister Robyn who lives in self-care."
HarbisonCare CEO David Cochran said the idea of the visitors' pod was prompted by a similar concept he saw on Facebook at an aged care facility in Victoria.
Mr Cochran said he contacted a company called Harry the Hirer in Sydney where he began chatting with Paul Elliott about different options to accommodate visitors.
"Residents and their families have missed that face-to-face connection because of [COVID-19] restrictions," he said.
"The restrictions are in place for a good reason, but we wanted to come up with a solution.
"It is something we have been working on for about six weeks - to find the best solution.
"We wanted it to be home-like and private which could allow for longer, more meaningful visits for residents," he said.
The visitors' pod, now onsite at the Burradoo aged care facility, ticks all the boxes.
It has two entrance with disabled access - one for the resident and one for the visitor.
It is warm, bright and features a variety of hygiene and social distancing measures. This includes a table between the visitor and resident section of the pod to ensure 1.5 metre distancing.
Mr Cochran said the pod allowed for two visitors at a time with a staff member on standby.
"It is available for use by any resident mobile enough to use it."
"The pod will be onsite for at least the next six months."
Prior appointments are required with each visiting time-slot set at a limit of 45 minutes.
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