When COVID-19 started to spread in March of 2020 Dorothy Carlone, like many New Yorkers, was no longer allowed access to visit her mother in the Absolut Care of Aurora Park nursing home in East Aurora.
This was under the guidance of the New York State Department of Health, which enforced this measure to protect the most vulnerable from COVID.
“I promised her I would be with her every day,” said Carlone. “On March 25 a supervisor sent a picture of my mother appearing thin and distressed and told us she wasn’t eating.”
A few days later Carlone’s mother passed away. She was granted access to be with her mom as she took her last breath.
“Her heart stopped, and mine broke,” said Carlone.
On Wednesday Carlone joined New York State Assemblyman David DiPietro (R), as he held a press conference about the Essential Caregivers Act.
“I believe with all my heart that this legislation will not only protect the residents, but that it will improve their quality of life,” said Carlone.
The legislation would ensure that residents in long-term care facilities have a designated caregiver to provide them care, even when visitation is restricted by order of federal, state or local authority.