My parents have been married almost 68 years!  They took vows in church and said they would be together until God separated them. They raised 7 children, enjoyed 23 grandchildren, cherish 43 great grands and 1 great great granddaughter. Unfortunately, our long term care policy is to place people in long term care individually rather than as couples. The LTC policy has a reunification program, which means they will be taken separately and then the case manager will do their best to place them in the same facility. Why would they need to be separated at all?

It is heartbreaking to watch my parents struggle to try to care for each other (with some limited help). Although it is a daily struggle, they are determined  to stay in their own home and are willing to risk their safety to fulfill their wedding vows “until death do us part”.  Do they not have rights as seniors? Do they have no say in their care?  What happened to their civil and religious rights? Is this discrimination against married couples? Is this denial of their religious beliefs?

i am asking for help for my parents, for all parents, life partners and grandparents - please change these unfair practises and allow them to spend their final days in the arms of the person they love. Don’t let them die alone, without the support of the person they have shared their life, love, care and friendship with. Allowing couples to be together is not an increase in cost and in fact would reduce the work of the facility as they would continue to care for each other. Two semi private rooms joined for two strangers or a couple or one private room with two beds requires nothing more financially. 

Please help!

Thank you