Escaping Isolation
Michigan Press Photographer Association First Place Covid Story Winner
Joan Piccione had been in assisted living at the start of the pandemic. Joan was in good health in March 2020. By May Joan was hospitalized and her family was told it was time for hospice. This came as a shock for her family but they hadn’t been able to visit her in her home or the hospital. They Maria McAvoy, Joan Piccione’s youngest child, decided to bring her home in hopes to help her regain her health or at least be with her if it was the end of her life.
Joan Piccione arrives via ambulance at her daughter Maria McAvoy’s house from the hospital where she was recommended to be put into hospice. Hospice was shocking news to the family so they decided to bring her home so they could help her get better or be with her if it was the end.
Joan's daughter Maria McAvoy and her husband Kevin assist the paramedics while they bring Joan into their home. Maria and her family have rearranged their house to accommodate Joan while she lives with them.
Cheryl Piccione one of Joan Piccione's daughter in-laws helps feed Joan because she is too weak to feed herself.
Joan has been struggling with her skin being dry and flakey. Now that she is in the care of her family they are helping to resolve this issue.
Katie and Ally Piccione two of Joans nieces who traveled from Virginia to Michigan to visit and Joan and help the McAvoy's take care of her for a weekend.
Joan takes her morning nap in her bed at the McAvoy's. Without the help of her family she is unable to even sit up on her own.
Joan clutches a photograph of her late husband Nick and tells stories about him to her granddaughter.
Mary Kate, Joans great granddaughter gives her a hug as her mother (Joans granddaughter) takes a photo.
Lisa Piccione, Joans oldest daughter came to the McAvoy's from Washington DC to help out for 7 weeks. Lisa helped Joan sit up by leaning against her.
Joan's granddaughter, Riley McAvoy helps take Joans vitals every morning and feeds her breakfast. Riley just graduated college at the height of the pandemic and moved home with plenty of time to help her grandmother.
Joan Piccione takes her pills with apple sauce every morning.
Joan and her daughter Maria sit out on the back patio and sing along to Frank Sinatra, Joans favorite artist.
Joan, her son Stephen and her daughter in law Cheryl sit on the back patio and soak up the summer sun with Maria's dog Tank.