A very special moment for families in Schenectady County on Tuesday, as the Glendale Nursing Home became the first senior assisted living facility in the county to allow socially distanced visits. It was the first time the families saw each other face to face in half a year, which has felt like a lifetime.

“Hard for me, but I understand. It’s harder for the patients that don’t understand,” says Julie Michaud, a wife of a resident.

Visitor restrictions were put in place for assisted living facilities in March, at the beginning of the COVID-19 shutdown. As the state slowly reopened, the restrictions have stayed in place until a new state rule on Tuesday allowed nursing homes to reopen to visitors. However, the restrictions over the past six months were a major change in Michaud’s everyday routine and for her husband Richard.

“I had been coming every day. Then when you’re used to seeing him every day, and now you can’t do it, it’s hard,” she said.

She’s only been able to connect with her husband through phone calls.

“You’re talking on the cell phone and sometimes that can get distorted, and it doesn’t always work that well,” she added.

But Alice Bonk doesn’t even have the option of phone calls with her husband of 60-plus years, Bill, as he is non-verbal.

“He doesn’t communicate, so it makes it difficult for both of us,” said Bonk.

She had to make the tough decision to put him at Glendale two years ago, but she says the pandemic has made it even harder.

“I’d like him to be home, but I have stairs, and he fell out of bed one time. This is the best place for him now,” said Bonk.

The nursing home hasn’t had a patient test positive for COVID-19 since the pandemic hit, and now the state is giving them the green light for socially distanced visits. It’s a moment six months in the making for both of these wives.

“He asked what he wanted to say to me, and he said ‘I love you,' " said Michaud.

And while they’re finally face to face, it still remains bittersweet.

“I can’t hug him. I can’t touch him. I’m just thankful that he’s able to look at me, if he couldn’t talk to me. I know he’s being well cared for, which is important,” said Bonk.

The families must sign up for allotted visitation times, which can last up to 45 minutes. The county says the facility is still not allowing any group activities inside the building, but they are continuing one-on-one activities with their residents.