As much as I’m going stir-crazy in my house during the quarantine, my mom has it way worse. She’s in an assisted living facility in another state.
Her quarantine experience started with a restriction on all visitors. That part wasn’t too bad. Her activities director kept everyone busy with trivia, bingo and other social activities among the residents.
However, the next phase was much worse. Residents now can’t even interact with each other. My mom is essentially trapped in her room. All meals are brought to her instead of eating in the dining room with the other residents. She misses social interaction.
She does get some one-on-ones with the staff throughout the day, but it’s not the same. Occasionally, she sneaks out of her room and walks down the hall to look out the front door, just to see what’s going on outside. Sometimes, she doesn’t remember why all of this is necessary in the first place. It’s been very difficult for her.
To stay in touch, my kids and I have a weekly FaceTime call with her that is facilitated by a staff member. I also do another weekly Zoom call with my siblings.
I know that these precautions are necessary. Covid-19 has raged through nursing homes and assisted living centers in her city. In fact, we just moved her into her current location in February. Her prior assisted living home currently has dozens of cases and a handful of deaths from Covid-19. The nursing home across the street from her current place has cases. This disease can wipe out an entire wing of a retirement home. It’s no joke.
I usually fly out to see my mom 2-3 times a year with a kid in tow. I saw her just before Christmas, and had plans to see her this summer. My summer trip is on hold. I doubt it will happen. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities will be the last places to open, for good reason.
So when will I see her again? Maybe fall? Maybe not until next year?
Do you have family members in a nursing home or assisted living facility? How are they handling the isolation?
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
Tricia says
Yes… my mom is in Iowa at an Assisted Living Home. Same thing… she has several children, grandchildren and one great grandchild nearby who usually visit in addition to taking her out for church and dinner. I was able to visit her in February from out of state. I’m very grateful that I went then. She misses her friends, especially the ones that she usually dines with every day. She lived through the depression and WWII, raised six children. She always says, please don’t worry about me. Best mom ever!!🙏❤️
Nancy says
@Tricia I’m sorry to hear that your mom isolated right now. I’m glad you got to see her in February. Hopefully this situation will improve soon.
L says
Mom is in the nursing center and dad is in an assisted living apartment. Two weeks ago the virus hit the nursing center. Mom tested positive last week, dad is negative. About 2/3 rds of the residents are positive and 12 staff members. There have been four deaths in the last week, but it is unclear if the virus was the real reason of death. Mom is asymptomatic as of right now. It is very hard. Not seeing each other has been the hardest part for them since the virus hit. Before that mom got to go upstairs with PPE to see dad once or twice a week for a few hours. Mom is also very social. My sister and I talk to both of them several times a day by phone. My sister lives close by and has done some window visits with both of them. We are also in the process of selling their home to add to all of this. Thank goodness for POAs we got this winter for just in case scenerios.
Nancy says
@L I’m so sorry to hear about what you and your family are going through. So difficult! I hope that your mom recovers quickly and that the virus stops spreading around their place.