Help families care for vulnerable loved ones

In March at the beginning of the pandemic, the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Human Services set guidelines for visitors to memory care units which excluded families. The problem with the guidelines was that they failed to take into account the vulnerability of the residents they claim to protect, and allowed for no variations according to COVID-19 metrics in a geographical location and degree of risk in a facility.

On June 26, the DOH and DHS issued new guidelines which attempt to be more sensitive to COVID-19 metrics and allow facilities to start to reopen. But my mom’s facility has not yet reopened because the new guidelines include many prerequisites. Even when it does reopen, visits will be very restricted.

My mom is 93, blind, is hard of hearing and has dementia. Because of her disabilities, the recommended means of communication — Facetime calls, window visits and phone calls — don’t work well. She has declined visibly physically since March. I can only imagine what the emotional toll has been on her. My mom is a sentient, loving woman who needs physical contact with her family.

I know that the DOH and DHS are concerned with residents’ safety and infection control. What about the concerns of families for the emotional and mental wellbeing of vulnerable family members?

There is something that can be done right now to give families access. Pennsylvania can adopt an Essential Family Caregiver policy which would allow one designated family member access to a family member residing in a care facility.

I urge the DOH and DHS to adopt such a policy. Time is truly of the essence. And, this really is hell for families. MICHALINA PENDZICH

Mt. Lebanon