The state has officially updated the visitation protocols to allow families back into nursing homes. It is a profound relief to know that residents will finally be reunited with the people they love after such a long period of separation. We must remain attentive to ensure these new guidelines are …
August 16, 2020
Final supporters
Governor Cuomo and NY State Legislature:
My father, Thomas F. Greene, a ninety seven year old World War II veteran has resided at Glendale Nursing Home in Schenectady County, New York for several years. He has been an incredible father and friend to my three sister and me. We visited frequently to ensure he had the right level of care, stimulation and a hug and kiss from people that love him. With the outbreak of COVID-19 the state has locked down facilities such as Glendale. Despite best efforts of the facility’s staff, many of the nursing home residents are essentially in a form of solitary confinement with a deep longing to see family members.
We have watched the unintended consequences of these safety measures via FaceTime calls with my father. We end each of these call in a stream of tears as we observe the day to day degradation of my father’s health as a result of isolation and loneliness. Given the current NY State restrictions it is unlikely we will see him for many more months. We fear he may die as a result of the very protections put in place to safeguard his health.
Current visitation protocols require residents and staff to be without COVID-19 for 28 days. This is a difficult burden when cases are isolated. The result is a potential indefinite visitation ban. We know that with outdoor visitation, social distancing and wearing of masks, COVID-19 transmission risk is virtually nil.
We urge you to reconsider visitation rules and reduce the without COVID-19 waiting period from 28 to 14 days consistent with CDC quarantine protocols. The revisions should also require nursing homes to make “safe space” (eg. specifically designated rooms or tents with ingress and egress to the outside) for family visitation with COVID-19 free residents during quarantine periods.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
July 29, 2020
Reached 100 supporters
July 28, 2020
195 Comments
My father’s assisted living facility has allowed socially distant outdoor visits since June. The visits are a lifeline to the world for Dad. No one should be sentenced to such isolation when there are safe ways to let our loved ones know we are there for them.
I support this 1000% In honor of my father who suffered neglect in a Nursing home due to COVID rules and the outcome was not good...They have rights to and need the support and advocate of there loved ones.
The risk of my Dad simply slipping away because of sadness, lack of stimulation, love and affection right now far out ways his risk of dying of COVID. And I think my 97 year old father would rather die of COVID surrounded by the family who loves him than die alone feeling abandoned by his family.
Elder people would rather die from COVID than die from lonliness. Keeping families apart kills all of them. Numbers in NY are good-open up the nursing homes while strictly enforcing proper PPE usage.
Denying family visits is just cruel for everyone. Not only is it hard on the family but also for the care workers knowing that a family visit would improve the quality of life for their clients. There are safe measures that can be taken so family members can visit their loved ones.
My mother with advanced dementia has been quarantined in her room for 6 of the last 8 weeks. This is abuse!
Thankfully, there are petitions being signed in many states. My mother is an 88 year old vented patient in Brooklyn. This region was the center of the Pandemic for several moths. So the precautions were understandable. However, that has all changed now. Our loved ones are being subjected to cruel conditions isolated and alone. I was allowed a 20 minute a few weeks ago, but they have shut down again. No way to establish a good connection in such a limited amount of time. I would imagine that patients are not in jeopardy from Covid as much, but are in jeopardy because of the Covid restrictions.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
The state has officially updated the visitation protocols to allow families back into nursing homes. It is a profound relief to know that residents will finally be reunited with the people they love after such a long period of separation. We must remain attentive to ensure these new guidelines are …
August 16, 2020
Final supporters
Governor Cuomo and NY State Legislature:
My father, Thomas F. Greene, a ninety seven year old World War II veteran has resided at Glendale Nursing Home in Schenectady County, New York for several years. He has been an incredible father and friend to my three sister and me. We visited frequently to ensure he had the right level of care, stimulation and a hug and kiss from people that love him. With the outbreak of COVID-19 the state has locked down facilities such as Glendale. Despite best efforts of the facility’s staff, many of the nursing home residents are essentially in a form of solitary confinement with a deep longing to see family members.
We have watched the unintended consequences of these safety measures via FaceTime calls with my father. We end each of these call in a stream of tears as we observe the day to day degradation of my father’s health as a result of isolation and loneliness. Given the current NY State restrictions it is unlikely we will see him for many more months. We fear he may die as a result of the very protections put in place to safeguard his health.
Current visitation protocols require residents and staff to be without COVID-19 for 28 days. This is a difficult burden when cases are isolated. The result is a potential indefinite visitation ban. We know that with outdoor visitation, social distancing and wearing of masks, COVID-19 transmission risk is virtually nil.
We urge you to reconsider visitation rules and reduce the without COVID-19 waiting period from 28 to 14 days consistent with CDC quarantine protocols. The revisions should also require nursing homes to make “safe space” (eg. specifically designated rooms or tents with ingress and egress to the outside) for family visitation with COVID-19 free residents during quarantine periods.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
July 29, 2020
Reached 100 supporters
July 28, 2020
195 Comments
My 92 year old mother is also suffering from depression and loneliness for her 7 children. She was used to seeing at least one of us every day. Now she’s getting used to seeing the resident psychologist. Please help!
My father’s assisted living facility has allowed socially distant outdoor visits since June. The visits are a lifeline to the world for Dad. No one should be sentenced to such isolation when there are safe ways to let our loved ones know we are there for them.
I support this 1000% In honor of my father who suffered neglect in a Nursing home due to COVID rules and the outcome was not good...They have rights to and need the support and advocate of there loved ones.
The risk of my Dad simply slipping away because of sadness, lack of stimulation, love and affection right now far out ways his risk of dying of COVID. And I think my 97 year old father would rather die of COVID surrounded by the family who loves him than die alone feeling abandoned by his family.
Elder people would rather die from COVID than die from lonliness. Keeping families apart kills all of them. Numbers in NY are good-open up the nursing homes while strictly enforcing proper PPE usage.
Denying family visits is just cruel for everyone. Not only is it hard on the family but also for the care workers knowing that a family visit would improve the quality of life for their clients. There are safe measures that can be taken so family members can visit their loved ones.
My mother with advanced dementia has been quarantined in her room for 6 of the last 8 weeks. This is abuse!
Thankfully, there are petitions being signed in many states. My mother is an 88 year old vented patient in Brooklyn. This region was the center of the Pandemic for several moths. So the precautions were understandable. However, that has all changed now. Our loved ones are being subjected to cruel conditions isolated and alone. I was allowed a 20 minute a few weeks ago, but they have shut down again. No way to establish a good connection in such a limited amount of time. I would imagine that patients are not in jeopardy from Covid as much, but are in jeopardy because of the Covid restrictions.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
My 92 year old mother is also suffering from depression and loneliness for her 7 children. She was used to seeing at least one of us every day. Now she’s getting used to seeing the resident psychologist. Please help!