In January 2021
On Monday afternoon's 'Kildare Focus' advocate & volunteer for Care Champions, Eimear Fitzgerald, discussed her personal experience with losing her mother, while she was living in a nursing home in January 2021.
During January of that year, Ireland was in Level 5 lockdown, meaning:
- People were only allowed travel up to 5km from their homes
- Schools & colleges were closed
- Only essential retail was open
- No visitors were allowed in homes
- A maximum of 10 people were allowed to attend funerals in person
- Public transport was at 25% capacity, people were discouraged from using it where possible
- A maximum of 6 people could attend weddings
- No organised indoor or outdoor events allowed
- Gyms, pools & leisure centres were closed
- Restaurants, cafes & pubs were closed, with takeaway or delivery services available
- Hotels, BBs etc. were only allowed open for essential purposes
Eimear's mother Stephanie was living in a care home, prior to the declaration of the pandemic in February 2020.
Strict rules & regulations were implemented by Irish nursing homes, in March 2020.
Discussing regulations in place at her mother's care home, Eimear noted "At time I was told I was allowed one 15-minute visit with Mommy, per week. And, unfortunately when that was scheduled for me Mommy was unresponsive at the time. As she was going in & out of consciousness, at my visit she was unresponsive."
The nurse on duty informed her "I had my visit for that week & I would not be getting anymore. So don't even look for another visit tomorrow, I think she knew by experience of me that I would certainly try to be with Mommy as much as possible."
Stephanie sadly passed away by herself 2 days later.
Eimear spoke about the trauma she experienced due to the circumstances surrounding her mother's death.
She said, "we were denied & Mommy was denied. And & it's for Mommy's sake that I just feel that nobody should end up like this.
This is not fair on anybody."
Due to her own tragic experience, Eimear now volunteers with Care Champions - according to their Facebook page "a family run advocacy group for all people who need care support in the community."
Care Champions can be contacted via email: CareChampionsIreland@gmail.com
Listen back to Eimear's full interview with Ciara Noble:
According To Uisce Éireann Repairs To A Burst Water Main May Cause Supply Disruptions Around County Kildare
Kildare Embraces Dog-Friendly Coffee Culture
Plans Approved For A Motor Showroom in Kildare
Helicopter Deployed As Four Men Arrested In Rathcoole Following Garda Pursuit
Retained Firefighters In Kildare Considering Labour Court Proposals Aimed At Ending Dispute
Nine In Ten Gardaí Back New Caps, But Some Fear It Makes Them Look Smaller And Less Authoritative
Three Kildare Schools Recognised For LGBTQ+ Wellbeing Efforts And Inclusion
Gardaí In Naas Impound Car 861 Days Overdue On Tax In Multi-Agency Operation
