Our elderly in nursing homes are being held as prisoners. This is horrible.

It has been almost a year since we have been able to hold and touch our mother. She turned 92 in November and had to spend her birthday, as well as Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas, by herself. We’ve only gotten to see her three times through a window and twice from a distance. She can’t use the phone that well. We hear her frail voice saying, “I can’t hear you. I love you, I miss you, I want to come home,” as we scream into the phone, “Mom, mom, I love you.” It’s heartbreaking.

I have written to congressman and commissioners, and all say the same thing: We’re going by the guidelines. They say this is best for the residents so they don’t get sick and die. Is it really? This is a slow, lingering death, with depression on both ends.

People have been isolated in their rooms for a year. Could you put up with this, not knowing if you will ever see your family again? Most of them are just giving up.

There has to be something we can do. Can’t they come up with a way that we can be with our loved ones? Employees come and go; why can’t relatives?

We need to get resolution. It’s already too late for some. I just pray that we can see our mother again while she still knows us and is still here.

Patty Lewis

South Greensburg

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