They might not be allowed to have any physical contact with the outside world, but that hasn't stopped some of Wagga's most senior citizens from getting a heartfelt message out to the community.
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Gumleigh Gardens Hostel has made a video montage of its elderly residents, thanking their carers as they wave and blow kisses to their loved ones watching at home.
Care manager Christine Fulthorpe said the clip was the hostel's way of helping residents stay connected, as the doors of aged care homes around the country close to visitors due to coronavirus social distancing restrictions.
"We thought, 'well, how are we going to ensure that the residents are still staying socially connected with their families?' So we came up with an idea to do some messages on cards and take some footage of the residents," Ms Fulthorpe said.
"We showed our residents and they really loved it. It went to our families and we got a lot of positive feedback from them."
The video, filmed by administrator Shantelle, features residents holding signs with messages of gratitude for their carers and families.
"Our residents loved it. They felt so famous. And to see their smiles yesterday when we watched it on the big screen. Their smiles just, really, I think it says everything, you know?," Ms Fulthorpe said.
"They still are seen and they felt so honored to be on the video."
Staff at the hostel are taking "an all hands on deck" approach to coming up with new ways to keep spirits high despite residents being kept indoors, and the activities are "getting a little bit more out there".
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Some of the entertainment on offer has included daily staff dance performances and "creative things with bingo", and a collaborative trivia night is in the works to be held with other aged care homes over Zoom.
The decision to stop visitors was made last week to protect the staff and residents, who are among the most vulnerable in the community.
"Families, obviously they're isolated from their loved ones. And our residents are isolated from their loved ones. So we've been doing Zoom meetings and FaceTime and keeping them updated with as much information as possible," Ms Fulthorpe said.
"[The residents] are coping pretty well, which is surprising. I think, as time goes on is going to be getting a lot harder for them."
Ms Fulthorpe said residents and staff were working on more videos, including some for the families of individual residents.
"Aged care's always been undervalued ... I think our staff, really, they love what they do for our residents. And that very much is reflected throughout our home here," she said.