No hugging your children, grandchildren, husband, or wife — inside or outside of the facility. Those were the rules in Colorado nursing homes. Residents are allowed to have visitors, but these visitors must maintain their distance, according to the state’s coronavirus guidelines.
But many of the senior citizens living with these rules said they want to see them changed. About 20 residents, many in wheelchairs, gathered outside of Fairacres Manor in Greeley, Colorado, last week to protest the state’s COVID-19 restrictions. Assisted by several of the facility’s staff members, the residents held signs that read, “We want families back,” “Prisoners in our own home,” and “Rather die from COVID than loneliness.”
“They want to be able to hug their grandchildren. They want to be able to hold the hands of their loved ones,” said Ben Gonzales, an assistant administrator at the facility.
Sharon Peterson, the nursing home’s council president, said that many of the residents at Fairacres feel that they haven’t had a say in any of the rules they’re expected to follow. This isn’t Fairacre’s fault, she said; it’s the state’s.
“Fairacres needs to be commended on how well they have cared for all of us, but it’s time for our voices to be heard,” Peterson said.
Pictures of the protest went viral on social media, prompting Gov. Jared Polis to release a statement explaining his position. While he is sympathetic to the difficulties that many senior citizens face right now, Polis said social interaction must take place in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of nursing home residents and staff members.
“Restrictions have been in place previously, but residents are now able to visit loved ones both indoors and outdoors. In addition, we are doing everything possible to help long-term care facilities mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19 by working directly with facilities on proper infection control practices that have been proven to slow the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
But like many people, the residents at Fairacres Manor want the right to choose for themselves how seriously to treat the coronavirus. And they want to enjoy the time spent with their loved ones without feeling trapped. They understand that physically interacting with others could put their health at risk. But the residents who gathered for the protest said that’s a sacrifice they’re willing to make.
“We did this because one thing we have to look forward to is a simple hug,” said one of the residents, according to CBS 4 Denver. “It gives us meaning.”
