Brazilian Senior Care Facility creates ‘hug tunnel’ so loved ones can embrace

The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially hard on elderly people, who have been advised to strictly adhere to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines.

For those living in care facilities, this has meant that friends and loved ones cannot even visit them in person.

But, a care home in Brazil has come up with a creative solution, allowing seniors to connect with their loved ones while still keeping them safe from infection.

The Tunel do Abraco (Hug Tunnel) at the Geriatric Clinic Tres Figueiras Amidst the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic GRAVATAI, BRAZIL - JUNE 16: A nurse cleans the Tunel do Abraco (Hug Tunnel) at the Geriatric Clinic Três Figueiras on June 16, 2020 in Gravatai, Brazil. The clinic created the Tunel do Abraco (hug tunnel) for elderly residents to be able to hug relatives after more than 70 days apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tunnel is made of a thick plastic curtain with sleeves, which guarantees the safety of families. After each use, the environment is cleaned by a clinic professional. (Photo by Lucas Uebel/Getty Images) (Lucas Uebel/Getty Images)

For 28 seniors living in isolation since March 17 at the Três Figueiras home in Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, Mother’s Day came and went without any visitors—and the loving staff noticed that spirits were at an all-time low.

The Tunel do Abraco (Hug Tunnel) at the Geriatric Clinic Tres Figueiras Amidst the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic GRAVATAI, BRAZIL - JUNE 16: A son hugs his mother at the Geriatric Clinic Três Figueiras on June 16, 2020 in Gravatai, Brazil. The clinic created the Tunel do Abraco (hug tunnel) for elderly residents to be able to hug relatives after more than 70 days apart due to the coronavirus pandemic. The tunnel is made of a thick plastic curtain with sleeves, which guarantees the safety of families. After each use, the environment is cleaned by a clinic professional. (Photo by Lucas Uebel/Getty Images) (Lucas Uebel/Getty Images)

“We noticed that our senior residents were feeling sad,” Rubia Santos, the care home’s administrator told CNN. “We thought they would be much happier if we found a way for them to hug their relatives.”

So they put their heads together and created the ‘hug tunnel.