A Canadian couple have been left heartbroken after being forced to spend Christmas apart for the first time in 70 years.
Herbert Goodine, 91, was ordered to leave the care home where he sleeps in the same bed as his wife Audrey, 89, just one week before Christmas.
The home said his health had declined too much for staff to look after him and that he had to be moved to comply with legal requirements.
Mr Goodine’s daughter Dianne Phillips phoned the home in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, to ask if they could delay moving him until after Christmas but staff refused.
She shared her story on Facebook alongside a heartbreaking picture of the couple’s final Christmas kiss before splitting up.
The saddest Christmas kiss: Herbert Goodine, 91, says goodbye to his wife Audrey, 89, as they are ordered apart because he health had deteriorated
Herbert Goodine, 91, was ordered to leave the care home where he sleeps in the same bed as his wife Audrey, 89, just one week before Christmas. Pictured: The couple say goodbye
Mr Goodine’s daughter Dianne Phillips phoned the home in Perth-Andover, New Brunswick, to ask if they could delay moving him until after Christmas but staff refused. Pictured: The couple before splitting up
Ms Phillips wrote: ‘This is one Sad Christmas story for Herbert and Audrey Goodine who reside at Victoria Villa Special Care Home in Perth Andover, NB.
‘I wanted to share with the FB community the planned separation of my parents one week prior to Christmas.
‘I was notified Friday morning (Dec 15) via email and followed a couple hours later by a phone call that my father (91) was going to be removed from the special care home that he is residing at with my mother (89) this weekend.
‘I read this message over several times in disbelief of how can anyone be so cold and cruel to do this a week prior to Christmas.
‘My request during the day Friday was to simply extend my father’s residency until the end of this week.
‘However, my repeated request was ignored. Because I was unwilling to make a decision on his new location within a few hours a representative from Social Development and a representative from the Victoria Villa approached my parents and forced them to make the decision on their own.’
Ms Phillips told CBC News: ‘At this time of year, the way things took place, I feel that is abuse to seniors. It’s emotional abuse. It might not be physical, but I do believe it is emotional.’
Mr Goodine’s daughter shared this photo of him in his new home alone and wrote: ‘The attached picture looks more like punishment than a Merry Christmas’
In his new home 30 minutes from his wife which he moved into on Monday, Mr Goodine said: ‘Well, we had a beautiful room, two rooms, really.’
But he kept a brave face, adding: ‘Well, if nothing happens to her, it’ll be good, because she’ll be rid of me for a little while.’
The story has caused outrage in Canada as Ms Phillips’ post has been shared more than 17,000 times and attracted a raft of comments from sympathetic well-wishers.
Ms Philips responded to them with another post which read: ‘First of all I want to say thank you for this overwhelming show of support.
‘The plan was carried through and my father was transfer to Plaster Rock Tobique Valley Manor to a Relief Care bed. There were tears saying goodbye to my mother and lonely faces tonight.
To respond to a few comments, My dad was reassessed a week ago and requires Level 3 care, and my mother remains Level 2. The Victoria Villa is a Level 2 care home, and I understand my father needs to be moved.
The home said Mr Goodine’s health had declined too much for them to look after him and that he had to be moved to comply with legal requirements. Pictured: His daughter Dianne and wife Audrey
‘It was brought to my attention there may have been resources to facilitate my father’s needs for a few more days to allow them to remain together until Christmas, but none were offered to us and time ran out to put things in place before our unrealistic deadline.
‘We too are waiting for answers to clarify how something like this could happen. My father may have needs, however, like any other citizen he has the right to enjoy his life and spending this season with his wife was part of that. The attached picture looks more like punishment than a Merry Christmas.
Please continue to support and share this post.This should never take place to another human again.’
Herbet’s move followed an assessment by the Department of Social Development.
A representative for the care home responded on Facebook.
They said: ‘Once a resident is beyond our level and social development has reassessed to determine their level, I have to follow the rules and regulations set by the government.
‘In fact, it’s against the law for me to not follow the rules and I could lose my licence. At this point the decision has been made and it is out of my hands.’
A spokesperson said the Department of Social Development said: ‘If it’s determined that a senior needs additional care or that their safety is potentially in jeopardy, the department works with the resident and family members to facilitate a move to an appropriate home.
‘Individuals who require a higher level of care than what can be provided in special care homes are moved to where their needs can be more appropriately met, such as in a nursing home or a memory care home.’