The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on nursing home residents and their families has become the focal point of a new proposal.

For the last six months, Baldwin's Cynthia Hertz says she hasn't been able to help her father, who lives in a nursing home, with his daily activities. She believes his dementia is worsening because she's not around.

"My father needs his daughter, he needs me to be there," she says.

Harry Koslow's mother is 102 and is in a similar boat to Hertz -- he cannot visit or take care of his family member.

The no-visit policy was instituted to protect elderly residents and was later adjusted to allow limited visitation if a facility was COVID-19-free for 28 days.

Assemblywoman Melissa Miller says that policy is now doing more harm than good. So she has introduced legislation in Albany to allow nursing home residents to designate an "essential person" to help with their care.

"At least we know these people will be able to have somebody who has their best interests at heart and will be able to come and visit and help care for them," says Miller.

That essential person would have to go through the same health screenings and checks as staff members and could help with a resident's mental and physical health.

Miller says she wants to fast-track the bill.

Koslow says the proposal would make a big difference.

"At this age, if they don't have any stimulation, they atrophy their minds," says Koslow.