The daughter of an elderly woman living in a Melbourne aged care facility says her mother is struggling after being confined to her room for 45 days.
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But Brighton East's Princeton View Aged Care home has defended its protocols, saying the resident has received sponge baths and coronavirus guidelines have been followed.
Sam Jensen-Muir said her 75-year-old mum, who has dementia, has been locked down at Brighton East's Princeton View Aged Care home since the facility recorded a coronavirus case on August 19.
"They can open a window but they can't go outside to get any exercise, they can't feel fresh air on their faces," Ms Jensen-Muir told 3AW radio on Friday.
"They're not allowed to shower for 45 days. This has had a huge mental and emotional effect.
"It's been incredibly difficult. She is literally crying to me every day saying she would rather die than live like this."
In a statement, a facility spokesperson said when the outbreak was declared, the home had come under the control of the state aged care response centre.
Instead of showers, because of concerns about airborne contamination, residents were provided with sponge baths.
Showers for some residents were reinstated on September 24, the spokesperson added.
Some restrictions are set to be eased at the facility next week, with residents no longer having to isolate in their rooms.
"We understand how difficult it has been for our residents and families as we have worked through the COVID-19 testing and isolation protocols that we were working under," the spokesperson said.
"Princeton View's priority is to support our residents through the remaining stages of the outbreak, so they can progressively return to their normal daily activities in a safe way.
"We are immensely grateful for our hard-working staff, and for the understanding and patience of all our residents and families as we have sought to contain the spread of the virus and keep our residents safe during this challenging time."
Ms Jensen-Muir said staff at the home have provided really good care, but were also frustrated by the Department of Health and Human Services lockdown guidelines.
"Everyone is complaining about 14 days in quarantine and we're putting our most vulnerable people in our society (for) 45 days in their room," she said.
"The policy has got to change. I completely understand why they're doing it, to keep them safe, but there must be other goals."
Ms Jensen-Muir said the last COVID-19 case at the home was "well over 14 days ago" and her mother was being re-tested on Friday.
Australian Associated Press
