Andras and his partner Mari lived together for 23 years in Szanda, Nógrád county, Hungary. Mari passed away summertime in 2018, and Andri, as everyone calls him in the village, stayed alone at the age of 84.

Not long after losing his partner, he fell in his wine cellar. He was taken to hospital with femoral neck fracture. He could stay in the traumatology department only for one week. Since he can walk with difficulties, and not able to look after himself in his home, he cannot move back to his house in Szanda.

Mari’s daughter, who lives overseas, cannot take on such responsibility. In the last minute, one place became available in the nursing department and he was accepted there. Andri, who had been actively working every day until his accident, had to decide if he were to stay in the nursing department for a monthly fee or spends the rest of his life in the elderly care.

He does not have these two alternatives in his head in the long run. He wish to go home.

Mari and Andri are waiting for guests. Mari’s sisters and their families will arrive to celebrate her 80th birthday. Mari takes a last look in the mirror.

Mari puts the cut goose and goose liver into the freezer while Andri reads about the monuments of Nograd County.

Andri at his partner’s funeral at the foot of the grave.

Andri mixes apple to the hens’ food to make it richer. Daily work helps him to keep his mind busy. It is difficult to accept that Mari’s gone.

Andri takes a rest in the kitchen. During the day he used to spend time here with Mari.

Months have passed since the accident. Andri starts his corridor walk for the umpteenth time.

He prefers listening to the radio. He can receive Kossuth Radio only. With his headset on he does not disturb his roommates.

After eight months in hospital, Mari’s daughter takes him home to his village for a short visit.

Andri is very happy to see his home again and to talk to his neighbors. During his short visit he manages with them what to do in the next months around his house while he's away.

He has a roommate, full board, community programs, and company for a talk. But he spends much time alone in his room.

A year after his accident, Andri moves to the retirement home. He enjoys the walks in the garden of the institution, and until the outbreak of pandemic covid-19, he was also allowed to leave for a walk in the city.

Since the Hungarian Government ordered the closure of residential social institutions on the 4th of April 2020, Andri has no chance to leave the elderly home. Not even for a short visit to his home village.