In this April 21, 2020, photo, Marguerite Mouille, 94, gestures while her visiting daughter takes a photo at the Kaisesberg nursing home, eastern France. France has started to break the seals on its locked down nursing homes, allowing limited visitation rights for the families of elderly residents. The visits are proving bittersweet for some, too short and restricted to make up for weeks of isolation and loneliness. But they are shedding light on the immense emotional toll caused by locking down care homes.
In this April 21, 2020, photo, Marguerite Mouille, 94, gestures while her visiting daughter takes a photo at the Kaisesberg nursing home, eastern France. France has started to break the seals on its locked down nursing homes, allowing limited visitation rights for the families of elderly residents. The visits are proving bittersweet for some, too short and restricted to make up for weeks of isolation and loneliness. But they are shedding light on the immense emotional toll caused by locking down care homes.
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(Harrisburg)— The Pennsylvania departments of Health and Human Services have issued guidance for nursing homes, personal care homes, and other long-term and congregate care facilities as counties enter the green phase of the state’s reopening plan. Ongoing restrictions in those facilities will remain in place at least 28 days after the respective facility’s county enters the green phase.
The original guidance issued in March was updated in May and requires visitor limitations, personnel restrictions, and other measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in nursing facilities.
The state Department of Human Services (DHS) has issued guidance restricting visitation to its licensed intermediate care facilities, assisted living residences as well as 17 state-run facilities, including state centers, state hospitals, youth development centers and youth forestry camps.
The facilities have been encouraged to provide virtual visits and communication to continue connections between residents and families while they are unable to be together. According to DHS officials, safe visitation includes:
A meeting that occurs between an individual or family/friends viewing each other through a window or glass door, so social distancing guidelines can be followed.
Using technology such as FaceTime, Skype, Zoom meetings, Facebook, Messenger, etc.
Promoting communication through telephone calls, email, writing letters, texting, sending photographs or videos, or the use of virtual assistant technology (i.e. Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home).
For family and friends who are unable to see loved ones and are struggling with the changes in protocol, the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is available with a new statewide resource called Virtual Family Council. The Ombudsman Program has 73 local ombudsmen across the state, advocating on a case-by-case basis for long-term care residents to resolve complaints and issues. They can be reached by phone at 717-783-8975.
For additional resources regarding COVID-19 and nursing homes in Pennsylvania, visit the state Department of Health’s COVID-19 Information for Nursing Homes webpage.
