COVID-19 ALERT
AMENDED NURSING HOME VISITATION RIGHTS
The Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued new guidance to ALL nursing homes for "limiting transmission of COVID-19" among nursing home residents, families, and staff effective March 13, 2020 that includes the following directives:
- RESTRICTION OF ALL VISITATION except for "certain compassionate care situations (e.g., end of life care)." For visitors who are allowed to enter the facility for "compassionate care situations", visitors will be required to perform proper hand hygeine and wear a face mask or other Personal Protective Equipment as directed. Visitation access is determined on a "case by case basis" after visitors are screened for "fever or respiratory symptoms."
- NURSING HOMES SHOULD CONSIDER OFFERING "alternative means of communication" to families who normally visit so they are able to communicate with their loved ones.
- CANCELATION OF COMMUNAL DINING AND GROUP ACTIVITIES.
- ACTIVE SCREENING OF ALL STAFF FOR FEVER AND RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS at the beginning of each shift.
- ANYONE VISITING THE FACILITY should "practice social distances with no handshaking or hugging, and remain six-feet apart."
If your loved one's nursing home refuses to make communication accomodations, contact Families for Better Care at 850.491.0066 so we can help!