While COVID-19 has impacted us all, loved ones in nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the state have been isolated from their families for far too long. The recent Attorney General report showed how this crisis was already mishandled and a death toll linked to nursing homes is significantly higher than what was reported. However, nursing home residents still continue to experience physical and emotional pain due to continued isolation.

As vaccine distribution continues, we must move forward with safe visitation solutions to address the damage that prolonged isolation has caused for nursing home residents and their families, including loneliness, a lack of motivation, neglected physical needs, and a general failure to thrive. I’m encouraged to see the “nursing home caregiver” bill I’m co-sponsoring move to the Assembly calendar, authorizing the state Department of Health to develop guidelines that would allow caregivers to once again be able to provide the physical and emotional support loved ones need to thrive. This bill takes important steps toward restoring the emotional health of families, friends and neighbors that are struggling with loved ones isolated in nursing homes. I hope to see it move to the floor for a vote as soon as possible.