What if you, or someone you loved, was alone and not even able to even take a shower for months? With COVID-19 restrictions, this has become a reality for some. 

"We had a gentleman who unfortunately passed away during the pandemic. But, he hadn't had a shower since March 17 until he passed away at the end of August. And people would say, 'what about home health?' But, he lived in a rural area. There are no home health options for a lot of our folks. We were his options," says Angelina Blasich, Adult Day Health Care council chair. 


What You Need To Know

  • The Adult Day Health Care Council represent 130 medical model programs

  • 90% of them are across New York State

  • Directors are urging Governor Cuomo to let the programs reopen

She is sharing her concern over the decision to keep adult day programs closed. These give people skilled-nursing services in day centers. They are provided to people following accidents, with chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities, and more. The programs have now been closed for ten months.

There is worry that, for some, telehealth just isn't enough.

"Telehealth is a valuable tool; however, telehealth is not a replacement for hands-on skilled services that we provide in adult day health care," explains Anne Hill, Adult Day Health Care council executive director.

"One of the things that happens with our members is that they have needs that we can't meet over the phone. We can't give someone a shower via telehealth. We can't attend to their basic hygiene. We can't administer medication," says Blasich.

These woman and others involved in adult health care are asking Governor Cuomo and the state department of health to seriously reconsider the decision to keep these programs closed.

"We find it extremely frustrating and we just don't understand why an individual can attend the Bills game and not attend a medical model adult day health care program," adds Hill. 

These woman say that not being to help so many people they care about has been heartbreaking.​