Not being able to visit loved ones with dementia takes a toll, advocates say

"Mark Applegate's mom, Brenda Alexander, has end-stage Alzheimer's disease and has been in a Greene County nursing home since 2018.

Before the pandemic, Applegate would stop by and visit with his mom several times a week. Alexander's husband, John, used to stop by three times a day to visit and feed Brenda.

Due to COVID-19, they can now only visit with her once a week — sitting outside for 15 to 20 minutes with at least six feet between them."

Click here to read more of Mark's story in the Springfield News-Leader