Listen to Lawrence – Limited Visitation Now Allowed at Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Dear clients and friends,

NEWS FLASH

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been on lockdown since March 13, 2020, completely isolating the residents from their families and friends. I am happy to announce that the Department of Health has issued new guidance allowing LIMITED visitation.

The window is not wide open but is open a crack. At least we are moving in the right direction. The new rules allow limited visitations in facilities that have been COVID-19 free for at least 28 days. Residents in these facilities will be allowed two visitors at a time, and the visitors must undergo the now, usual temperature checks, wear face coverings and socially distance during the visit. At least one of the two visitors must be at least 18 years of age or older. For each facility, only 10 percent of the residents can be allowed visitors at any time; for example, in a 100-bed facility, no more than 10 residents can have visitors in one day in order to maintain proper social distancing and ensure safe compliance.

Some sense of order will have to prevail as families compete for visitation slots. To prevent chaos, copies of the facility’s formal visitation plans must be sent to the Department of Health. They must also be posted to their websites and sent via email or social media.

This is a good first step away from all the heart-wrenching situations we have all seen.

I hope this helps.

Please forward this information to your friends and relatives.

As always, please send me your questions. If you are thinking about it, others are probably too, so my answers will no doubt help you and many others.

Let’s stay connected.

LISTEN TO LAWRENCE

Stay safe!