Isolation Of The Disabled And Elderly Is Not Acceptable. Authorize Essential Caregivers Now- Because Isolation Kills Too!

Comments

#1

I’m signing because I have a disabled medically fragile son who resides in a long term medical facility. I have not seen him in person over the past 8 months but once. We have Skyped with him weekly but we are used to visiting with him every week. I long for that special touch of my son and so does the rest of the family.

Rhonda Skipper (Coats, 2020-11-05)

#3

I have heard too many stories from friends and others about their loved ones becoming ill, losing skills, or dying due to isolation. They need at least 1-2 family allowed in as essential caregivers.

Audrey Reynolds (Charlotte, 2020-11-05)

#4

My dad has been isolated from us and his high school sweetheart for 8 months! He has dementia. My mom did his daily care and played her musical instruments for him and other residents. She has not been let in. He has not had a hug in 8 months. She has not had a hug from him in 8 months. This is killing BOTH of them!

Beneth Aiken (Franklin, 2020-11-05)

#5

My mom needs her family.

Karen Rivers (Mt Pleasant, 2020-11-06)

#6

I believe that they need a voice and their love ones should provide that voice.

Loretta Cooper (Elkin NC, 2020-11-06)

#7

I’m signing because I have personally seen all the devastating effects the restrictions on visitation has caused, especially to the cognitively impaired community. It’s been physically and mentally devastating. Laws that are in place to keep this from happening, as well as the ADA are being ignored. The restrictions have created the perfect storm for decline, abuse, neglect and death of our seniors.

Paige Henline (Oak Ridge , 2020-11-06)

#11

I'm signing because I'm an essential caregiver and my wife needs me to be with her as much as possible. The isolation has taken a toll on her physically and emotionally.

Bob Willson (Burlington, 2020-11-06)

#13

I feel the ones in nusing homes are dying without family. Its so sad they cant see loved ones.

Donna Koontz (Mocksville, 2020-11-06)

#14

While I do not have any elderly relatives, I believe those who do need to be advocates for their elderly family members.

Lesley Coussis (OAK RIDGE, 2020-11-06)

#15

Our elderly deserve better. They are literally dying of loneliness and even abuse or neglect in some cases . There is a better solution. Please allow essential caregivers!

Stefanie Allen (Colfax, 2020-11-06)

#16

I’m signing because our elderly and disabled need their family members. Keeping them away is a heartless thing to do. Family is essential!!!!

Sherrie Stroud (Mocksville , 2020-11-06)

#19

My mother is in a long term facility suffering from dementia. The isolation is devastating with no end in site.

Merrily Caldwell (Charlotte, 2020-11-06)

#20

My mom has been isolated since March and she NEEDS her family to thrive!

Robin Newsome (King, 2020-11-06)

#21

Our family members and other loved ones deserve a family member to ba able to spend some quality time with them. Being without family or their caregiver causes them great distress and the isolation is not mentally good for them.

Vernay Swaim (Yadkinville, 2020-11-06)

#23

I'm signing because we have an idiot for a governor!!!

Nannette Krazmien (Greensboro, 2020-11-06)

#24

I care

Connie Shoffner (Mocksville , 2020-11-06)

#25

A family member’s mother is declining mentally from Lewey Body dementia. She does not understand why her family is not visiting...she feels that she has done something to upset them. She has become despondent to the point of refusing to eat. Allowing in-person visits, with the proper precautions taken, would be greatly beneficial to her mental health.

Tallie Crowell (Salisbury , 2020-11-06)

#26

Every one in a long care facility should have an advocate that has access to them regardless of pandemic status

Marilyn Calhoun (Winston salem, 2020-11-06)

#29

I know the importance of Essential Caregivers and I want my mom to thrive and not die alone!

Linda Pope (China Grove, 2020-11-06)

#30

I’m signing because my husband is a resident in a skilled nursing facility and I am losing way too much time of our remaining days together. Plus I have always provided adjunct caregiving for him; much personal care now going undone

Shayne Hatfield (Kannapolis , 2020-11-06)

#31

I’m signing because residents are declining in health due to isolation. I don’t understand how a healthcare worker can come and go/take care of the residents yet spouses/children/loved ones can not... who are willing to go through any precaution necessary. Enough is enough!

Melissa Lee (Oak Ridge, 2020-11-06)

#32

My dad died because of “failure to thrive” after my mom and I hadn’t been able to see him for 5 months! Cruel! Even when he was on hospice!

Susan Wright (West End, 2020-11-06)

#33

I care about elderly people

Jennifer Hoch (Oak ridge , 2020-11-06)

#34

I don't think it's right to isolate our elders and not allow them access to family.

Doug Copple (Oak Ridge, 2020-11-06)

#35

My mother is in a long term care facility, and I have watched her deteriorate significantly over the last 9 months of isolation.

Mary Alley (Mount Holly, 2020-11-06)

#38

People are dying from isolation.

Denise Andrews (Sparta, 2020-11-06)

#39

I know these isolated regress when they don’t have the interaction with those that love them. The caregivers are saints, but they cannot replace family.

Rose mary Smith (Pittsboro, 2020-11-06)

#40

I’m signing because my precious mama has been locked away from me for eight months. She has vascular dementia and is 81 years old and doesn’t understand what is going on. She thinks she has done something wrong and promises to be good if I’ll just come see her. I’m her voice! I’m her person! I need to be allowed in!!!!

Beverly McLean (Lumberton , 2020-11-06)

#42

I know how it affects people not to see loved ones I believe families will take extra precautions to visit loved ones It affects the ones on the inside and the ones on the outside

Kay Payne (Mocksville NC, 2020-11-06)

#49

I have a loved one in a nursing home. She doesn't even recognize her children now. My daughter lives in a group home and I haven't been allowed in since March.

Michelle Barneycastle (Mocksville, 2020-11-06)

#52

I have not been allowed to be with my husband of 40 years for 8 months! I promised in my marriage vows that I would comfort him in sickness. I never imagined that the Governor could stop me from doing what I pledged in my marriage vows.

Pat Weaver (Clemmons, 2020-11-06)

#55

My mother is in a facility and the depression and isolation from her family is killing her. She wants to die...

Kathy Erb (Mocksville, 2020-11-06)

#56

My mother died 10/20/20 because of just this reason along with Covid

Amy McGuire (Landis, 2020-11-06)

#59

my husband is in an assisted living facility and the closest I have been to him in almost 8 months is 6ft away, and that was just allowed in August. No human touch from the the people who love him most! This is cruel and unacceptable!

Michelle Goyeau (Asheville, 2020-11-06)

#61

People in long term care are dying from isolation and failure to thrive not just Covid-19!!! Many are confused and are giving up because they feel that no one cares. We are asking to allow Essential Caregivers in the facilities of the forgotten, the ones that need us most!
We are not visitors, we are Essential Caregivers, We are Family!!

Melody Stark (Monrovia, 2020-11-06)

#63

My mother in law was in a nursing home and her health dwindled due to non contact and compassionate care

Danny McGuire (Landis, 2020-11-06)

#64

My wife is suffering in isolation. We have been married for 63 years and it's just wrong to keep us apart.

JERRY TUCKER (CONCORD, 2020-11-06)

#66

I'm signing because I haven't been able to hug my dad in over 9 months. I miss him so bad! I see him but thru a window, on an iPad and at one end of a six ft.table! Please let me hug my sweet dad!

Glenda Martin (Pinnacle, 2020-11-07)

#67

I am the mother of a 29 year old daughter that has intellectual and physical disabilities. Our daughter is in a residential facility. Before Covid our family either took care of her at home or visited her daily when she was moved to a nursing facility. Our daughter is high risk but she is a healthy 29 year old. She needs to see her family frequently! We need to see her! We could help the facility with feeding and other activities!!!

Koyne Rice (Lewisville, NC, 2020-11-07)

#68

One of my best friends has not been able to have his wife visit and spend any quality time with him in his serious condition. A wife on significant years should not be denied to spend time caring and sharing with their loved one.

Wayne Bersch (Greensboro , 2020-11-07)

#70

I have a 29 year old daughter who is in an intermediate care facility. Since the middle of March, my wife and I have had limited visits based upon restrictions due to Covid 19. I certainly understand the restrictions during the early phase of the pandemic. As the months have passed, it has been difficult not to visit her and be able to socialize and assist in her care. Prior to the pandemic, we would have frequent visits and outings which brought joy to her and us.
I am a physician and my wife is a nurse so we understand the need to be prudent and not spread this disease. But at some point, the limited visits by family members who are essential caregivers has been detrimental. I feel that more frequent visits with outings would be emotionally beneficial and not impose any significant risk for her or others.

Charles Rice (Lewisville, North Carolina, 2020-11-07)

#71

My mother has been in isolation since March. She's a stroke survivor of 4 years and for any stroke patient, solitude and sitting in a wheelchair for more than 12 hours a day is detrimental to recovery. She was recovering, now she's back to square one with zero strength and no speech..

Anna Hinson (Seagrove, 2020-11-07)

#72

I’m signing this because I can’t imagine having a loved one cut off from me. We thrive on human interaction and companionship. Our loved ones need us and to know we are there.

Megan Greene (Midland, 2020-11-07)

#73

My son is at Horizons in Rural Hall, NC.

Joy Zeller (Mt. Airy, 2020-11-07)

#74

I am signing this petition because my mother is in a nursing home in NC. It has been 8 months since I have been able to touch her, it is past time for that to change.

Kathy Price (Landrum , 2020-11-07)

#75

My mother is in a facility, and has been effected by this cruel policy.

Sherry Long (Winston-Salem, 2020-11-07)

#76

my mother has dementia. isolated for 8 months she has fallen, broken bones, had surgery- all without no visits allowed from her family. we need each other and she desperately needs to know she’s loved.

Laurie Banker (Taylors, 2020-11-07)

#77

My grandpa and great aunt deserve better!!!!!!!

Hilary Young (North Ridgeville, 2020-11-07)

#78

My mother is in a nursing home and I see first hand the pain of isolation and disconnect of family. It is heartbreaking.

Leslie McDowell (Hendersonville, NC, 2020-11-07)

#79

My mother has quickly declined since she has been so isolated from her family these past 8 months. This is no way to live.

Ginger Noble (Lumberton , 2020-11-07)

#80

My mom has been denied visits for 7 months

John Craig (Winston Salem , 2020-11-07)

#81

I’m signing because loved ones need human touch from their essential caregivers. Let them in!!

Tammy Britt (Orrum, 2020-11-07)

#82

My mom had Alzheimer’s and in Assisted Living and failing quickly since March

Wanda Dupree (Dahlonega, GA, 2020-11-07)

#83

My mom has been locked away since June. I have never even been able to step foot into her facility. She has moderate dementia. Visiting through the window is not a good way to make contact. Isolation is killing our loved ones. This is barbaric.

Wendy Wadhams (Laurinburg, 2020-11-07)

#85

My mother is in skilled care. Had COVID. No symptoms. But the issues going on that the facility tried to hide are unacceptable and her state of mind has taken a nose dive because she doesn't understand why she is alone!

Marcella Roper (High Point, 2020-11-07)

#87

I’m signing because I want families to be able to visit their loved ones locked up. They need their families. I didn’t get to visit with my mom for 7 months until she was on her death bed. She’s gone!

Kathy Goodwin (Salisbury, 2020-11-07)

#90

Humans need the interaction of loved ones for their mental health.

Brooks Alger (Winston-Salem, 2020-11-07)

#92

There needs to be a better balance between Covid 19 safety measures and patient visitation. Isolation is just as deadly.

Scott Raynor (Clemmons, 2020-11-07)

#93

My mother is in assisted living with dementia. She needs me to be able to come inside for visits, not just through the window.

Sara Blackburn (Winston-Salem, 2020-11-08)

#96

The elderly should not be without family at this time in their life.

Sara George (Winston Salem , 2020-11-08)

#99

We are not isolated and they should not be either!!! Isolation and loneliness kills!!

Ashleigh Herring (RAEFORD, 2020-11-08)

#100

I haven’t hugged my daddy 238 days!!!

Caroline Lloyd (Lumberton, 2020-11-08)

#102

I am signing because my father deserves respect and to not be forgotten.

Rosemary Robinson (Belmont, 2020-11-08)

#103

I am signing because my mom’s health is deteriorating due to the isolation. I am the essential caregiver when my mom is in the nursing home. She is fine without any tube and now she has a peg tube and a foley catheter. She is in out of ER more than 3 times since lockdown.

Xiaoyee Kwong (Newark , 2020-11-08)

#104

My brother Dale is in a medical place. My family and I want to be able to see him in person like we have been doing before this virus. Seeing him every week and caring for him.

Matthew Thompson (Coats , 2020-11-08)

#105

My mom is currently in a Long-term care facility.

Thomas Wall Jr (Pleasant Garden, 2020-11-08)

#107

You signed a mandate that has caused COVID-19 to reek havoc in my sister’s nursing home. Allowing non residential patients to be admitted with positive cases. The isolation is killing our families who are patients!

Teresa Stamper (North Wilkesboro, 2020-11-08)

#108

Every human being in LTC facilities deserves to have love, support and care from loved ones while they are still living. Indefinate isolation and inhumane restrictions are not the answer to a quality of life!

Simone Kraemer (Louisville, 2020-11-08)

#109

My father is in a LTC facility and have only scene him ONCE since March.
He has not had any contact with family since then. He has dementia and Alzheimer’s and he is slowly slipping away without contact.
This isolation is slowly killing and taking away my father!!

Richard Price (Dunn, 2020-11-08)

#110

My my mother in law is in a facility and her health has been declining due to the isolation!

Grady Pope Jr (China Grove, 2020-11-08)

#111

I’m signing because I have seen my mother decline with the isolation from her family. She tells me how she misses playing cards and other games we would play to keep her mind active. I fear she her dementia will accelerate without family interaction.

John Beauchamp (Winston Salem, 2020-11-08)

#112

Because te lock down is kill family members due to separation. No reason to keep them in isolation.

David Williamson (Murphy , 2020-11-08)

#114

Our seniors need their families what you're doing is isolating and putting it where they can't have contact with their families is wrong

Brenda Benson (MOCKSVILLE, 2020-11-08)

#115

BECAUSE A PERSONS MENTAL HEALTHVIS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH. TO LOCK OUT OUR ELDERLY UP AND NOT ALLOW THEM TO SEE THEIR FAMILY IS AS BAD AS PUTTING THEM IN PRISON. OUR MOTHERS, FATHERS, AUNTS, UNCLES, ETC. NEEDS OUR HUGS AND OUR PRESENCE TO THRIVE!

Tania McDaniel (LANDIS, 2020-11-08)

#116

Isolation is wrong

Karen Klink (Hermosa beach, 2020-11-08)

#118

My 88 yo Mom is in a Long Term Skilled Nursing facility with crippling RA/OA and accelerating dementia. Her shared room is on 3rd floor, allowing no chance for a window visit during CoviD. I have been her POA, Medical POA, and Essential Caregiver for more than 15 years now. But more than that, I have been her her LOVING DAUGHTER For 67 years. Mom has lost 30+lbs since March in this isolation, dining ALONE (but obviously not eating) in her room instead of her usual eating with friends there. We have missed many important holidays together already. Now facing knowing she will spend her 89th birthday in her small room on 3rd floor, all alone on Nov 25, and the next day, Thanksgiving Day, again all alone. And then Christmas Day, all alone. I talk to my Mom by phone 3-4 times every day. Today when I phoned Mom, I asked if she recognized my voice. She answered “Yes, but I’m not sure I will know your face after so long!” 😔
PLEASE GIVE ESSENTIAL CAREGIVERS TIME!!!! TIME with our most prized possessions, OUR LOVED ONES!!!!!

Marilyn Meeker (Burlington, NC, 2020-11-09)

#119

My grandma is in a retirement home. We never get to see her

James Blackburn (Winston-Salem, 2020-11-09)

#120

I have a husband who has lost 30 lbs. He needs me there not restricted as a essential care giver. To be there to give him hope. Visionally impaired, with vascular dimentia. We been married 39 years. Please we can do the required masks,covid testing-as well as the staff who goes and comes and the temporary agencies who works as aides who not their work same hallways each day.

Pat Curtis (Smithfield, 2020-11-09)

#123

This has got to end. Our loved ones need us and we need them! Let us in!

Julia Smothers (Fort Thomas, 2020-11-09)

#124

I strongly believe family is essential

Pam Ranson (Greensboro, NC, 2020-11-09)

#126

I am signing because as a social worker and a person who has lost her mother while she was in a facility, I see the value of having a loved one having regular visits with the ability to hug them. Touch is so essential.

Jeroline Wommack (Fletcher, 2020-11-09)

#127

I’m signing this petition because my LO was inappropriately medicated during this pandemic. My LO was forced into a FIVE week stay at a hospital and drugged to the point that she was unable to feed herself, unable to stand, and unable to walk. Had I been able to be present and been able to be present to her care, as I had been for months/years, this would likely have been unnecessary. Had I been able to assist staff in learning about my LO condition (Frontal Temporal Dementia) and been able to demonstrate how to work with her, they likely would have realized there was a more appropriate route to take. Essential caregivers are not only essential to the residents, they are essential to the staff. Isolation hasn’t yet killed my LO but she will NEVER recover from its effects and the misguided decisions that made were made during and due to the pandemic. There was and continues to be and zero oversight and zero accountability (and they take ZERO responsibility for the results of their actions). Isolation may separate the elderly from COVID, but it’s isolation that is killing the elderly NOT COVID. Indeed some have contracted and passed due to COVID, but I for one, would take the risk of her exposure in order to be with and care for my LO as she has expected and become accustomed to. She is actively dying from her disease and she is doing so without the love and support of her family. She has no idea why we have stopped visiting, no idea why we don’t touch or hug her, no idea why the hugs and kisses have stopped, she doesn’t understand. She is like a 4-6 year old child. You would NEVER stop touching, hugging, or stop seeing a child, it wold be considered cruel, inappropriate, and abusive behavior. You would never say, “window visits are good enough”. You would never prevent a parent from spending what might be their last few months with their child... or should I say you SHOULDN’T. What gives you the right to do so. Isolation IS what’s killing our LO NOT this illness. Essential and family caregivers are as careful, if not more so than any of the workers at any of the facilities. The have to be... we are willing to be. We will be (and are) tested weekly, we will (and do) isolate ourselves, and we will (and do) take every precaution to prevent transmitting or carrying this illness into our LO facilities. Families are always doing things such as taking appropriate supplements to boost their health and staying healthy going above and beyond what staff may do to protect those they “care” for. These individuals are our husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, and yes, children. We love and want to care for them more than anyone, we know how to do this as we were doing it for months or years prior to the pandemic. Even before the pandemic, we knew how to take precaution. We knew how to protect our LO and ourselves from illness. Give us the credit we are due. It is essential to their (the resident...our LO) well being, our well being, and the well being of the tired and overworked staff that essential and family care givers be allowed to enter facilities, that the be able to provide care and love essential to life. These individuals are not yet dead, but they are dying faster from isolation than from exposure to this illness. We may never get rid of COVID. Foes that mean we will NEVER allow essential family and care givers to ever see, touch, hug, kiss their loved ones again? That’s not the governments role, not their right, and not their responsibility. It is essential that you re-evaluate what isolation does to the human spirit. Cruel and unusual punishment is something we don’t tolerate for prisoners, why do we now allow it to be acceptable for those who are most vulnerable and need the love and support from family the most, (in their remaining months and years of life). Essential and family care givers are just that ESSENTIAL.

Kristen Panks (Columbus, 2020-11-09)

#128

I have a mother in a skilled nursing home who I haven’t been able to go in and visit.

Jamie Oneal Mendoza (Fremont , 2020-11-09)

#130

My 99 year old mom is in a nursing home.

Denise Bogan (Riverside, 2020-11-09)

#132

My daughter is in a snf
Terrible decline and abuse
Residents have rights
We are vital to our loved ones quality of life

Janet Myers (Mesa, 2020-11-09)

#134

I'm signing because isolation is so harmful. We are social animals that thrive on love.

Francis LaPierre (28778, 2020-11-10)

#138

My dear loved ones, Bill and Hazel died this year. Bill in a rest home and then Hazel fell as was at a rehab. They died alone. Bill spent MONTHS alone with no family being able to come inside. I’m sure he didn’t understand. Hazel had visited him almost daily for over a year. Then they had to stop. It’s horrible. It’s heartbreaking. There HAS to be a better way than dying alone.

Pam Brooks (Clayton , 2020-11-13)

#139

Living in a care facility is already hard on a person’s morale. If you’ve ever visited a care facility, even a very nice one with good caregivers - it’s still just not home. This wears on a person. Imagine yourself in a care facility, for months, even years, and now imagine a loved one walks in the door. Can you imagine the elation of such a moment. A person does not live on food alone. Visits from familiar faces and family nourish a person. They are already so isolated there to begin with. Let them have the familiar faces that brighten their days and lives. Thank you.

Kyla Perez (Phoenix , 2020-11-15)

#140

It is heartbreaking watching your elderly grandparents, married for 75 years, through a window. My 98 year old grandfather cries as he watches my grandmother, who has dementia, reach her arms out not understanding why she cannot get to her family.

Emily Dement (Raleigh, 2020-11-25)



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