In late March, as nursing homes and supported living facilities began locking down in response to COVID-19, SNA member Kim Dayton, Esq., wrote for the blog about the resulting concern and confusion. This is an update.
COVID-19’s well-documented rampage through long-term residential facilities and the continued danger of infection make clear why visiting restrictions remain in place. Yet one of the most traumatic effects of the pandemic has been the need to isolate residents from their family and friends. The psychological effects of being separated from loved ones can be deeply damaging.
In addition, they have clarified the definition of “compassionate care” situations which, along with ombudsman visits, have usually been the only non-staff visitations allowed. Many individuals had interpreted “compassionate care” as referring to visitation of residents who were nearing the end-of-life. On the contrary, while CMS stressed that such visits should not be routine, they offered examples of other situations that might qualify. For instance, visits might be appropriate if a friend or relative passes away or if a resident has recently moved to the facility and separation from family in an unfamiliar environment could prove traumatic. The agency stressed that it could not outline all potentially appropriate situations and that facilities should make determinations in consultation with families, ombudsmen and state leadership. See CMS FAQ for more detail.
