NEW BADEN, Ill. – Two women from Illinois are heading to Washington DC this week to fight for the rights of essential caregivers who want to see their loved ones during a public health emergency.
You likely know someone who couldn’t visit a loved one in a long-term care facility throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Carrie Leljedal couldn’t see her son Lynn once the pandemic started in March 2020. Leljedal lives less than five minutes away from Clinton Manor, Lynn’s long-term care facility.
Besides doctor’s visits and emergencies, she wouldn’t see him in person until October due to rules from the Illinois Department of Public Health. While those rules have been lifted for several months, not all facilities followed this change. Carrie is fighting to make sure caregivers aren’t put in a similar situation during future public health emergencies.