Restrictions take toll on visitors, residents in long-term care

Judge Darryl Mahoney hasn’t seen his parents in more than three months. The separation isn’t a function of distance or estrangement — it’s a public health imperative protecting the population most vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Mahoney’s parents live in local long-term care facilities, where, per the Arkansas Department of Health’s March 13 directive, visitation is prohibited. Restrictions notwithstanding, the virus has exacted a heavy cost on nursing home residents and staff.

Residents accounted for about a third of the state’s more than 200 COVID-19 deaths. Almost 600 residents and almost

400 staff have been infected since the pandemic began. Of the

4,705 active cases reported Friday, 138 were in nursing homes.

Mahoney’s mother, Georgia, lives at Garrett Manor Retirement Community, an assisted-living facility. His father, Pat, lives nearby at Quapaw Nursing and Rehab, a full-care facility. Mahoney said both are still mentally sharp and understand that circumstances don’t allow him

and his sister to visit. He bought them newspaper subscriptions so they could keep up with current events.

Before the directive, Georgia would visit Pat regularly.

“Since this happened it’s been a whole different world for them,” Mahoney said. “Mom has certainly missed going up there. After living together for 60 years, it’s difficult not to be able to see your soul mate. It’s been a pretty big psychological and emotional event for them.”

Mahoney said his parents lived on their own until about four years ago. They moved into an assisted-living facility, but Pat,

88, eventually needed full care. They have lived in Garland County since the 1950s. Georgia,

87, worked at Hot Springs Title Co. for many years. Pat was a leatherworker, owning a leather repair shop on Higdon Ferry where he repaired tack for horse owners at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort.

Pat’s father, Edmond, or “Red,” as he was known in horse racing circles, owned and trained horses at Oaklawn for many years.

“My dad got polio when he was 14,” Mahoney said. “He took up leatherworking, and that’s all he’s ever done. He worked his entire life and never drew a penny of disability.”

Mahoney is looking forward to the visitation prohibition being lifted for qualifying facilities July 1 and resuming his regular Sunday visits, but he said the new rules will be an adjustment. Wearing a mask and physical distancing will make it difficult to communicate with his mom, who has trouble hearing.

“We’re still looking at a long time ‘til she can understand me and hug me,” he said. “It’s going to be things they’re not used to. At 88 years old, you never know how many more visits you’re going to get.”

Qualifying facilities can also resume activities, including communal dining and personal care services, such as haircuts, on a limited basis July 1.

“I’m sure dad’s ready to get a haircut, and mom is ready to do something with her hair,” Mahoney said.