Photo: VOCM

An elderly Newfoundland couple who have been married for 68 years, but are now separated because of their health needs are hoping to be reunited.

Roy and Dorothy Vardy have been separated since June after Dorothy — who turns 91 this month — spent five weeks in hospital.

When she was discharged, she was sent to a home in Clarke's Beach and then to St. John's where she has been since September.

Her 88-year-old husband now says after almost seven decades together, he is not doing well and is depressed because he misses his wife.

The couple's family says the problem is that they require different levels of health care and can't be placed together in Clarenville.

Relatives say the separation is taking a toll on the couple as they approach their first Christmas apart, but they are driving Roy Vardy about 190 kilometres back and forth from Clarenville to St. John's once a week.