NEWTON — A Newton man is unable to visit his mother inside her independent living community, and he says this is even more heartbreaking as the holidays approach.
Phil Silberstein said this will be the first Passover seder he will spend apart from his 99-year-old mother in 50 years.
But he said he’ll gladly do it, if it means keeping her and the rest of her living community safe.
“There’s some sacrifice involved, and we’re prepared to make that sacrifice for the good health of all of our loved ones,” Silberstein said.
His challenge comes after Boston 25 first reported on Monday that a dozen VA nurses and nursing assitants will be deployed to Massachusetts to help in two nursing homes. On Tuesday, officials announced that state funds are on the way.
Silberstein said he hasn’t seen his mother, Betty, in about a month. It’s been difficult since he’s used to seeing her daily. Her independent living community is just down the road from his home in Newton.
Cabot Park Village is asking family members to refrain from coming inside the building. On Tuesday, Silberstein said management sent another reminder, although Passover and Easter are near, family must stay away.
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“It’s heartbreaking to watch other families go through this, we’re keeping our fingers crossed and working with the community and doing everything we can to keep the virus out of the community where my mother is,” Silberstein said.
Gov. Charlie Baker reminded residents on Tuesday that more help is on the way: $80 million will go towards nursing facilities.
In addition to the help from federal officials announced over the weekend, officials pledged to help Massachusetts in their efforts to protect the most vulnerable citizens in two nursing homes in the state.
Facilities in Norwood and Danvers will receive that help.
Meantime, Silberstein said he has round-the-clock providers stay with his mother inside her unit.
“When they’re not with my mother, we’re asking them to take all the necessary protective measures, all the cues we’ve already been given by society – wash hands and social distance – and they’re doing that,” he said.
He said the company that owns Cabot Village, Benchmark Senior Living, provides daily updates and he said they say no residents there are sick.
Benchmark also owns a Newton assisted living facility where five people have just died from COVID 19.
Silberstein said he will be able to FaceTime his mother on Wednesday during seder, a small victory until they can be together once again.
“It’s one of these things from a certain degree, we are holding our breath, hoping for the best,” Silberstein said.
Since his mother is at an independent living community, they are still able to drop off food for Passover, but he said the process is very sterile and they are not able to get close to the lobby.