Our Heartbreak Continues
We Love You Mom, Grandma,
Aunt June, Sister, Best Friend
My dear mother has been lying alone without family by her side during this COVID19 pandemic (108 days, but who's counting!). She has only been able to hear my voice once since March 5th. and that was when I was able to get by her bedside at an emergency doctor visit.
Our attempt for a virtual visit failed. The staff couldn't get her attention to look at the camera - she is extremely hard of hearing and didn't hear a word I said. Mom isn't a good candidate for virtual visits. Although, we are going to try again this afternoon. It failed again because she was sleeping through it.
Today, NJ nursing homes were allowed to reopen. Yay! Thank you Governor Phil Murphy. Nursing Homes, like other business, are required to follow strict rules for COVID19 precautions.
One rule that I'm struggling with in particular is the fact that we will have to socially distance and stand six feet away from her. Six feet from Mom? Really? You're kidding right? She is practically deaf. Plus, after all this time isolating her from us, she has become lethargic and is now sleeping most of the time.
This is happening across the country as families struggle to cope and deal with having loved one(s) in a nursing home. Reopening with the rule of keeping family six feet apart seems cruel and unfair; especially to those with dementia and/or whom are deaf or have poor vision and eyesight or are bedridden. Our seniors need their loving family up close and safely by their side now before they die.
In my opinion, we can all still keep safe during outdoor visits with masks on. If the visitors could be tested on the spot, wouldn't that eliminate the need for a social distancing policy? Testing, testing, testing can solve so many COVID19-related problems.
Thank you nursing home healthcare workers.
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