Daughter says nursing home "cover-up" example of what can happen without visitation

by Anne McCloy

Photos show how Gloria Caldaroni-Ford found her mother Donata in a five-star nursing home in Saratoga County, bruises under her eyes, a huge knot on her head and a big cut on her nose. (WRGB PROVIDED)
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SARATOGA NY (WRGB) - What goes on behind closed doors?

A Saratoga County woman says COVID-19 policy that has prevented families from visiting nursing homes has made it so families have no idea what's happening to their loved ones.

After her mother was mistreated in a nursing home, she says no family should ever be completely banned from visitation.

You don’t think it’s going to happen to you.

Photos show how Gloria Caldaroni-Ford found her mother Donata in a five-star nursing home in Saratoga County, bruises under her eyes, a huge knot on her head and a big cut on her nose.

“We were there almost all day every day and that one window we weren’t there that’s when the injury occurred,” Caldaroni-Ford said.

The incident happened before the COVID-19 pandemic. Caldaroni-Ford says her family only learned about the injury when they came to visit her mom the next day. The aide accused of causing her mother to fall was charged for not following procedure and for failing to report what happened.

Caldaroni-Ford is now fighting for new laws after COVID-19 nursing home policy that has banned families from visiting their loved ones. (WRGB)

“It is so important you don’t assume everything is okay behind closed doors,” Caldaroni-Ford said.

That's why Caldaroni-Ford is now fighting for new laws after COVID-19 nursing home policy that has banned families from visiting their loved ones.

“It should be illegal to prevent someone from taking care of their loved ones. You have to be your loved ones advocate, you can’t be their advocate if you are not there with them,” Caldaroni-Ford said.

Caldaroni-Ford argues during a pandemic at least one family member should be allowed in to ensure proper care wearing proper PPE and taking the same precautions at staff.

“They would be careful, if not more careful because they don’t want to bring COVID-19 into their family,” Caldaroni-Ford said.

She also believes cameras should be allowed in rooms so families always have eyes on their loved ones. (WRGB PROVIDED)

She also believes cameras should be allowed in rooms so families always have eyes on their loved ones.

“If I had a camera in the room, I could feel that much better, I could feel that much safer,” Caldaroni-Ford said.

Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Sullivan) has a bill that would put cameras in patient's room with consent from any patient's sharing that space. It's currently in committee.

Friday, CBS 6’s Anne McCloy reached out to Governor Cuomo’s Office, and brought Caldaroni-Ford’s concerns to their attention. She also asked for more detailed information on when guidance will be issued on re-opening nursing homes.

Gary Holmes from NYSDOH responded Friday saying the following:

“The Department of Health takes tremendous steps to protect our most vulnerable populations in nursing homes — and all complaints are kept confidential and thoroughly reviewed to ensure New Yorkers’ safety. As we’ve said, we are reviewing the data to determine the appropriate time to reinstate a nursing home visitation program that protects the health and well-being of residents, their visitors and staff.”

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Daughter says nursing home "cover-up" example of what can happen without visitation