The mother of a 33-year-old woman in a Cork care home has warned: “It’s not Covid that’ll kill her - it’s heartbreak,” with the imposition of new level three restrictions that mean her family can no longer pay face-to-face visits.
Sally Crowley’s daughter Jessica has suffered from a severe condition similar to Parkinson’s since she was 17, and has been a resident in Farranlea Care Home for the past eight years.
Restrictions introduced due to Covid-19 meant her family could not visit her between March and July - a fate that caused Jessica’s condition to deteriorate “rapidly” in recent few months, according to her mother.
Sally’s heartbreaking story included scenes of Jessica crying “for hours” as a result of not being able to see her family.
The Cork woman is on antidepressants as a result of her enforced isolation over recent months - and, after a brief period during which her family could visit, level three restrictions imposed on Tuesday mean face-to-face visits are suspended again.
“It's not Covid is going to kill her, it's bloody heartbreak,” said Sally.
“She is fading away.”
Speaking to Cork’s Red FM, Sally said her daughter had originally wanted to study animal care in St John’s Central College in Cork, but had to pull out when she became too sick.
Since then, she’s been battling a severe disease, and can no longer communicate verbally, Sally said.
Now, she’s not only struggling with her condition but also with the fact that she can’t see her family for a face-to-face visit.
“She hasn't seen her niece and her two little nephews since March, and my God she's feeling it,” said Sally.
“She used to love the visits from them - we used to be out there nearly every day.”
Sally said she’s attempted to contact Taoiseach Leo Varadkar about the issue, but she’s had no response.
And she added: “I’m talking about even a half an hour a week.
“It’s hard enough with what’s after happening to my daughter - and other people that are in care homes.
“It's like being punished all over again, for something that they haven't done. It's like being in prison really.
Under the new restrictions, Sally said, the family are allowed a “window visit” to see Jessica.
“But that’s no good, because she can’t speak,” she said.
“You need to be face-to-face with her.
“It’s inhumane. And with Christmas coming up it’s going to be harder again.”
