Nationwide visitation ban at care homes due to virus fears

[Anonymous]

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/us/coronavirus-nursing-homes-washington-seattle.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

NY Times is breaking a story that nursing care industry leaders are calling for all but only the most essential visits to be canceled at nursing homes.

If you need to visit a care home for some reason in the next few days, you may want to plan ahead in case this goes into force nationwide.

[Anonymous]

I should note this is only being proposed--it is not in place yet.

[Anonymous]

As a family memer of someone who was in a nursing home for a very long time, this is somewhat problematic.

At least at the home we were with, they would quarantine when there was a flu outbreak. However, they did not have the capacity to increase staffing - and since the care needs were higher due to people being sick, the quality of care would go way downhill. Staff would also call in sick leaving them even shorter staffed. Since many of the staff work two jobs they did not want to get sick so few would pick up extra shifts during an outbreak.

Their ability to provide my family member with even basic care was very compromised during outbreaks. We did often go in anyways despite the quarantine to feed my family member and provide basic care. A number of times I found my family member had received no care - For example: 2:00 in the afternoon and still in bed, no food or liquid, not yet up and dressed - basically just left there because they hadn't gotten to her yet that day. Since the place was in quarantine, they assumed no visitors and that no one would know they were too overworked / overwhelmed / short staffed to provide basic care to all residents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a family memer of someone who was in a nursing home for a very long time, this is somewhat problematic.

At least at the home we were with, they would quarantine when there was a flu outbreak. However, they did not have the capacity to increase staffing - and since the care needs were higher due to people being sick, the quality of care would go way downhill. Staff would also call in sick leaving them even shorter staffed. Since many of the staff work two jobs they did not want to get sick so few would pick up extra shifts during an outbreak.

Their ability to provide my family member with even basic care was very compromised during outbreaks. We did often go in anyways despite the quarantine to feed my family member and provide basic care. A number of times I found my family member had received no care - For example: 2:00 in the afternoon and still in bed, no food or liquid, not yet up and dressed - basically just left there because they hadn't gotten to her yet that day. Since the place was in quarantine, they assumed no visitors and that no one would know they were too overworked / overwhelmed / short staffed to provide basic care to all residents.

This happened flu or not where we were at. But, its a good point that they do regularly put restrictions on visits when flu or other stuff breaks out. This is pretty normal.

[Anonymous]

This is very normal, and is in place as of today at my mothers ALC.

[Anonymous]

In Florida right now, visiting parents in nursing home. So far all they are doing: a couple of signs saying don’t come in if you’re coughing, and a bottle of Purell at the entrance.

[Anonymous]

My parents are in a continuing care community. I wonder how that would work. Certainly they can not tell residents of the independent living floors they must stay in or can not have visitors. They are asking that people who are unwell or have been over seas not visit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/10/us/coronavirus-nursing-homes-washington-seattle.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

NY Times is breaking a story that nursing care industry leaders are calling for all but only the most essential visits to be canceled at nursing homes.

If you need to visit a care home for some reason in the next few days, you may want to plan ahead in case this goes into force nationwide.

Visiting hours are already greatly restricted at many homes.

[Anonymous]

This is SO SMART! I hope it is implemented.
Skype!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I should note this is only being proposed--it is not in place yet.

Already in place at some MD facilities and residents’ movements/gatherings restricted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Florida right now, visiting parents in nursing home. So far all they are doing: a couple of signs saying don’t come in if you’re coughing, and a bottle of Purell at the entrance.

And five minutes after I posted this, I received the following email:
The Florida Surgeon General has requested that all long-term care providers immediately implement health screening measures upon entry to the Nursing center and Assisted Living for all visitors, family, vendors and staff. Upon arrival at the facility, please check in with the individual stationed at the front entrance of the Health Center or Stratford who will take your temperature, ask you to answer a brief questionnaire and provide you with handwashing and Coronavirus education. This station will be open at the front entrances from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 7 days a week.

[Anonymous]

It is very sad what happened to the residents of the care facility in Washington State.

[Anonymous]

My mom is in an independent senior facility where most are 70+ and many are 80+. They are taking no precautions!

[Anonymous]

My mom’s in ALF in another state and the visiting hours are now limited. Also people who have recently traveled overseas or to any location where virus has been reported in last 21 days are not allowed to visit.

Of course not letting anyone in if have any respiratory symptoms.

If an outbreak occurs in the local County the ALF will be under full quarantine.

[Anonymous]

It's sad though. And when I was a CNA family visits could make a huge difference in quality of care for some residents (the ones other aides disliked, frankly).

The people trying to get their aging relatives into facilities right now, gonna have to keep sweating it out I guess.