How long is too long?

Imagine this..

You're ability to converse has completely gone.

You're ability to communicate via any form of technology has completely gone.

You no longer have the ability to walk so the ability to move for change of scenery is no more so you may spend more time in bed as your body no longer copes sitting in a chair.

You no longer have the capacity to focus on anything so basics like watching TV has completely gone from your life.

Now imagine all this and then your family and friends can no longer visit which was one of the main things you looked forward to, seeing them walk through the door and you would give them a smile.

Let's throw a spanner in the works..

All of the above has happened and you fall seriously ill with Covid where you are almost at end of life but you pull through and STILL no family is allowed anywhere near you to comfort you during such a trauma.

This is my mum's life the past 8months, 32 weeks, 224 days.

We seriously need a change in how we view the basic human right for individuals who are non verbal (on this occasion as I am talking about mum) to be connected to their family.

We had the announcement this week that residents in care homes can now have a family member visit them for 4 hours. The reality is care homes do not need to oblige with this guidance.

The petition (please click and sign here) has asked from day one for the designated family member to be treated the same as staff, this needs to happen. My mum and so many others need that family connection to be treated as part of their care plans, because as you can from the start of this dementia is stealing so much from them, we cannot allow their families to be a part of this loss.

Let's remember this pettition in theory will allow my mum and dad to be reunited - what about mum's 4 children, children in law, grandchildren, siblings and many friends are still desperate to see her as she is them.

I just cannot imagine a world where my mum has went a further 8months of being isolated from her family and how lonely she must feel.

I don't wan't to get to a point where I need to learn to live a life without her whilst she is still here, I was already grieving for mum whilst I could visit, Imagine how it feels when there is zero way of feeling connected with her.

So how long is too long to be separated from your family.