Rogue-Nation Family

[senona]

In a similar position here, have two elderly relatives in care and haven't seen them for almost a year as only one family member is allowed to visit. Luckily they are together in a fantastic place that posts updates to Facebook every day. Sadly they are both visibly deteriorating despite getting excellent care.
 It's frustrating for sure, but I'm still hopeful that this thing will blow over soon.
Stay strong.

Do you think they're deteriorating more than they would have if the lockdown/isolation technique hadn't been used?

YES, without a doubt.



Before the lockdown, families came and went, bringing food, snacks, drinks etc etc....sit with them for hours talking or just holding hands. Watching TV or walking down the hallway to the lobby. Or maybe take a stroll outside. 

I would take Jim for a ride, get him out of there for a couple of hours. Run to McDonalds and get a double cheeseburger/fries/fruit punch 
Then go to the park for a walk. Sit on the bench and talk.

There was constant outside stimulation with family and friends coming to visit.



We also help the aids when we are there, knowing that we are watching our loved ones and will come get them if we need anything. So the aids are free to help others that need it.




Now ---- the residents are confined to their hallway or bedrooms. No more gathering in the dinning room to eat at a dinner table like normal people. They have the bed trays that they use in their bedrooms.

No more bingo games or music gatherings.

No more visits from families and for some residents in the nursing homes, they cannot comprehend "why" their family members stopped coming to see them. Some now feel abandoned. They simply do not understand shutdown/lockdown/coronavirus

There is video chat but that is not the same. 



No more snacks or foods that we know our loved ones will eat. Some like my husband, has lost quite a bit of weight in the last 6 months. When I used to sit with him at lunch, I made sure he ate it all. Or would cut his food into small pieces so he could chew it better. 

The aids do their best, but they simply do not know all the quirky things that our loved ones like or don't like. Or they may not have the time since family members are no longer there to help. 



Oh yeah, the shutdown has hurt the residents in nursing homes. Worst thing they could have done is cut off ALL visitation from family. 
Not to mention hurt us, the families.


They could have limited it to 1 family member for maybe 2 hours and make an appointment so families did not overlap. Let us bring food, books or what have you.

But we got nothing, other than video chat and that for me, sucks. Jim has issues talking and gets fidgety, so I can never understand him when and if he decides to talk. 
Unlike sitting next to him on the couch, where I can lean over, put my head on his shoulder and better hear what he is trying to say. 



Basically, it is the stimulation from family, that help keep them going, even on bad days.




Fingers crossed it won't be too much longer before they open the doors.