Coronavirus and Nursing Homes/Long Term Care Facilities: Making Sure Your Loved Ones Get The Care They Need
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has brought about dramatic changes in the lives of New Yorkers. As hospitals struggle to keep up with the rising number of cases, residents are forced to shelter in place and are often separated from other family members or loved ones. This can be particularly hard if someone you care about is in a nursing home or assisted living facility. As experienced attorneys, we want you to be aware of the steps you can take to protect them.
Coronavirus Guidelines For Nursing Homes and Long Term Care Facilities
Medicaid planning addresses future needs for long term care, helping to ensure you and loved ones are provided for. The need for this type of care is common among older adults, but even younger people can require assisted living if they are involved in an accident, suffer a serious illness, or have a chronic medical condition.
Older adults and those with lower immunity due to chronic conditions are among the most vulnerable in terms of contracting the coronavirus and the impacts they suffer are often severe. As a result, nursing homes and assisted living facilities have restricted visitor access. This can leave you feeling helpless but there are still actions you can take to ensure they are protected. At the top of the list is checking to see that the facility is following guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Policies should include:
- Rapid identification and isolation of sick patients;
- Provisions for handling patient health emergencies;
- Ensuring patients have adequate medications and other supplies;
- Screening health care workers and service providers at the facility;
- Detailed scheduling for disinfection of all public spaces and resident rooms on a frequent basis.
Family members should be informed of these policies, which may be posted on the nursing home or assisted living facility’s website and social media pages. If you have questions or concerns, contact the facility administrator.
What You Can Do To Protect Your Loved One
Being unable to visit loved ones in nursing homes or other assisted living facilities is frustrating. While the coronavirus limits your options in terms of reaching out and interacting with them regularly, the American Association of Retired People (AARP) encourages you to pursue other methods of communications:
- Follow the facility on social media and request that they post pictures and status updates regularly;
- Set up a time for weekly phone calls, based on your loved one’s schedule at the facility;
- Take advantage of FaceTime and other telephone chat apps available;
- Ask the nursing home to set up virtual visits via programs such as Skype or Zoom.
Let Us Help You Today
Cavallo & Cavallo is dedicated to helping you ensure your loved ones are provided for during this difficult time, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Contact our Bronx & Westchester Medicaid & nursing home attorneys online to discuss your options today.
Resource:
cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/long-term-care.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fhealthcare-facilities%2Fprevent-spread-in-long-term-care-facilities.html
