A couple who has been married for 62 years has been forced to live apart. The Canadian residents have been placed in two different nursing homes. Wolfram Gottschalk, 83, and his wife Anita, 81, are able to see each other every other day. That means they have to say an emotional goodbye every time they separate. This unfortunate situation has been going on for the last eight months. It is unknown when the elderly couple will be able to live together again.
Reason the couple is separated
Wolfram is staying in a transitional facility while waiting to get into the same nursing home as his wife.
Because of abacklog at Fraser Health where Anita Gottschalk is staying, Wolfram has been forced to be away from his wife.He has been diagnosed with lymphoma and dementia. However, he still knows what is going on. The family is hoping that Wolfram can move in with his wife before his memories of her fade.
How the couple gets to see each other
The couple's granddaughter, Ashley Bartyik, drives her grandmother 30 minutes away to the transitional facility multiple times a week. It is a strain on Ashley and the rest of the family who helps out from time to time. it is heartbreaking each time Anita has to leave Wolfram behind. The 29-year-old granddaughter posted on Facebook a photo of her grandparents holding hands and crying when it was time for Anita to leave.
According to Ashley's Facebook post, she wants her story shared so the couple can be reunited. The family's goal is to get the elderly couple in the same facility so they can live out their last days together. So far, Ashley's post has been viewed more than 3,000 times.
Possible solution
Fraser Health spokeswoman Tasleem Juma explained that not all facilities offer the care needed for both Wolfram and Anita.
She said they are waiting for an opening so Wolfram can move where Anita is. An opening might become available in a few weeks. The spokeswoman suggested that both grandparents could move to a third facility where both of them could be cared for. The family didn't like that idea because they favor The Morgan where Anita currently lives. So, the waitcontinues as well as the commuting.
