I have not seen my 92 year old mum who suffers from Lewy Body dementia for over 6 months. Like so many others, I’m not allowed to go visit her because she lives in a care home. I’ve been told I may only visit my mum in her room when ‘it is deemed that she is dying’. This is so upsetting. I’m calling on the Government to improve visit rights for care homes now, before it’s too late.

When she was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia we were told she had four years to live - that was seven years ago. Time is incredibly precious at her age and we’ve already lost 6 months. When I Skype with her, she repeatedly asks me where I am and why I have not visited her - it is heartbreaking.

Current Government policy dictates that only 1 relative may be the designated visitor. Many care homes also state the visits can only last for 15 minutes. In our case, my sister is the designated visitor, so as it stands I can only visit my mother if she is dying.

Carers are allowed to sit with residents like my mum, wearing PPE and then go home to their families. Why can’t I do the same? The Government must let care home residents have different visitors, and allow them longer visits.

My friend's father died at the age of 99 in his care home 2 weeks ago. She did not get to visit him. This is urgent. Please sign my petition to get the Government to act now before it is too late.