Oklahomans Unable To Visit Nursing Homes Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Family members of loved ones isolated in nursing homes and care facilities are feeling heartbroken after now weeks of not being able to see them due to COVID-19.

That woman said her mom has dementia and is worried she won’t recognize her the next time they see each other, on top of the fear of not being able to financially support her.

“She’s a wonderful lady. she’s raised five children," Clear said.

Joni Clear can’t help but gush about her 89-year-old mother, Betty Alcorn, someone she said is always dressed for the occasion.

"She always loves her clothing to match," Clear said. "She loves her hats, especially her red ones.”

And she said she always puts family above everything.

Alcorn has dementia. She’s been living at the Linden at Stonehaven Square in memory care for a few years and Clear and her sister usually visit her four times a week.

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But Clear hasn’t been able to see her mom in a month since senior care centers were closed to prevent COVID-19 from spreading and can’t communicate with her because she says Alcorn doesn’t understand how to use a phone or video chat.

“They don't understand a pandemic, all they know is all of the sudden you are not there," Clear said.

Clear describes it as a death in the family, even though her mom is still alive.

"if we go back in 2 months, will she know who we are?” she said.

Most seniors living at nursing homes in Oklahoma use medicaid to pay, but Clear pays thousands a month out of pocket for memory care.

She said she usually cleans homes for a living, but without that, she's concerned about paying for her mom's care.

"Nursing facilities are very expensive.”

She just wants others to know they’re not alone in missing their loved ones during this pandemic.

"Everybody say a little prayer for the elderly," she said.

That nursing home said they are working with people like Clear on a case by case basis to help them with paying for their loved one’s care.