It may have been months since you have been able to see your loved one living in a nursing home. COVID-19 restrictions have been especially stringent in these facilities as the residents are part of a particularly vulnerable population and have been shown to be extremely susceptible to contracting the virus and experiencing extremely severe, even life-threatening, symptoms. After extended closures to the public, nursing homes across the country are beginning to reopen. They are, however, doing so cautiously. Before you go to visit your loved one in a nursing home that is planning to reopen, here are some things you will want to know about.
Nursing Home Reopenings: What to Know Before You Go
As nursing homes reopen their doors with trepidation to the public that has been shut out for several months, most have strict measures in place for the reopening process. Before you go visit a loved one in a nursing home, call to check on what type of precautionary measures are in place. You may even need to schedule a time to visit as the number of daily visitors may be restricted and visitors may only be allowed to visit at certain times and on certain days.
When you visit, be prepared to maintain social distancing. You may not be permitted to hug or touch your loved one. You may be required to visit them outside or in a designated area. It is also likely that you will be required to wash your hands upon entering the facility as well as throughout your visit. You should also come prepared to wear a mask for the duration of the visit. As masks have proven to be one of the most effective measures that can be taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus, it is almost a certainty that you will be required to wear one during your visit.
You may also notice more cleaning and sanitizing of common areas going on during your visit. As advised by the CDC, the disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces is highly advisable to prevent the spread of illness and disease.
Your visit may also have a time limit as facilities may be seriously restricting the time visitors can stay and interact in person with residents. After months of essentially being isolated, however, it is almost certain that a visitor for any period of time will be much appreciated by the nursing home residents.
As restrictions remain in place, although they may be partially eased, continue to be vigilant at reaching out to your loved one in a nursing home. The pandemic has had a particularly severe impact on elderly residents in these facilities. The isolation has had palpable effects. Staying in touch with loved ones, if only via technological means, can go a long way to boost morale and mental health.
Elder Law Attorney
The elder law team at Monk Law is committed to providing resources to the elderly community and their loved ones. For questions about long term care and other legal issues that can have particular impacts on the elderly, we are here for you. Contact Monk Law today.