My 83 y/o pop has told the staff he wants to leave and step in front of a truck. His grief is hard. He has some dementia and I can't go see him but twice a week for 30 min. each time due to covid. I can't go into their room and he is having a rough time with all her things being there. I worry that if the staff goes in to box things up (I can't afford a private room for him, it was tough paying for both of them) I'm worried about him and the grief he has. They are checking on him every 15 minutes right now. I guess my question is, how do I help him when I can't be there much for him? ('essential' family must get a covid test every two weeks to be able to see the resident in the dining room only) He can't remember how to use his phone so when I call he doesn't answer. He will occasionally be allowed to come to the nursing station in his hall to call me, right now he just cries and wants to go home (to a home we had to sell last year to cover mom's care, he doesn't remember we put it up for sale, and I hate to keep reminding him) I'm just at a loss.
Poor guy -- my heart just breaks for him.