The daughters of parents in their 90s at a Lancaster assisted living facility were thankful to finally be permitted to see mom and dad in person this week.
But they could not help noticing changes since they last saw them before the Covid-19 pandemic visiting ban went into effect four months ago at nursing homes and other facilities.
Eleanore Gizinski, 93, had aged and she barely talked during the 40-minute outdoor visit at Greenfield Court. Joseph Gizinski, 95, who prefers to wear his hair short, had long hair and wanted to know when he could get a haircut.
Daughters Jackie Stepien and Chris Lawrence said that before the state banned visits to nursing homes and adult care facilities, they could keep a close eye on their parents, and their parents benefited from the mental stimulation of seeing loved ones.
The ramifications of the pandemic, the daughters agreed, were confusing to their parents.
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GreenFields Continuing Care Community’s David McMullen talks about the return of visitors to the facility.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo banned visits at long-term care facilities on March 13 to try to stop the spread of the contagious virus, which has killed more than 6,300 residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
On Wednesday, the State Health Department allowed visits to resume, but with restrictions to ensure safety and social distancing.
The state allowed visits only at the 150 to 160 long-term care facilities across the state that have had no Covid-19 cases among residents or staff in the last 28 days.
In that group, only 22 nursing homes and 32 assisted living facilities across the state began allowing visitors Wednesday, the Health Department said.
Statewide, there are 613 nursing homes and 544 assisted living facilities.
"I know a lot of people would find the process hard but I totally understand why it was done," Lawrence said about the visitor ban.
But the daughters said their absence had taken a toll on their parents.
"The first thing I said to my mom was 'Hi, how are you doing?' and then I realized she didn't have her hearing aids," Stepien said.
Joseph Gizinski was also not wearing his hearing aids.
The parents also had trouble grasping the requirement for social distancing because they are used to getting hugs and kisses from their daughters, Lawrence said.
Both daughters thanked Greenfield Court, part of the GreenFields Continuing Care Community campus in Lancaster, for the chance to visit on Wednesday, the first possible day for visits.
"We know that the care they are getting at GreenField is excellent, but not having contact for so long in person was just very frustrating and worrisome," Stepien said.
