That's so tough for you and I'm sorry it's so painful. Pete gives a really good explanation and reasoning why the situation is as it is. Your concern about your fathers quality of life is I'm sure very valid, as for others with dementia who can't have any family life. His care needs must be quite high if he's in a nursing home so this makes things more difficult for you. I feel the same about my mother who is also denied family life (although not in such difficult circumstances as yours). You get to the point, or I do, where I think I don't care if she gets it, at least she will have had time with her loved ones, but of course the issue is that it spreads through homes like wild fire. It seems to me that a walk in the fresh air with you would do him the world of good. They just cannot afford to take the risk. They are probably following guidelines from somewhere else so the decision probably isn't even theirs. This virus has caused so many people so much pain and anguish, and when it's someone elderly and time is limited anyway I think it makes it worse. Probably the best you can do is to keep booking those half hour slots with him, in the outside tent and pretend the carer isn't there. Have a real quality time with him, just being with you will help him and give him something pleasant in his life. The carer will be there because so many people, unwittingly would hug and touch their loved ones. i haven't told you anything you don't know already, but hope it helps to know that others care and sympathise with you.
