Part 11 What’s the next step?
Mrs. Jones was lucky enough to receive her complete COVID-19 vaccination, as were many of her peers and staff in her facility. She is still asked to wear a mask and social distance. Activities are still limited to small groups, and dining is done in small groups and in shifts. Being six feet away from people when trying to have a conversation is frustrating—especially because Mrs. Jones has some hearing loss.
Mrs. Jones is extremely frustrated. She assumed after the vaccine things would return to normal, but they haven’t. So, what’s the next step? The honest answer is that we can’t be sure. Because we’re in the early stages of vaccine distribution and work is still being done to understand the immunity the vaccine provides, the duration of the protection, and how the vaccine may or may not protect others, any decisions about the future are difficult to predict. Mrs. Jones can understand the caution but still misses her friends and family.
As such, it is important to remember the ability for facilities to commence visitation based on the 6 th Amended Visitation order and guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Facilities have had the ability to allow indoor visitation and continue to be permitted to allow visitation based on the following:
1. Case status in the surrounding community
2. Case status in the nursing home(s)
3. Staffing levels
4. Access to adequate testing for residents and staff
5. Personal protective equipment supplies
6. Local hospital capacity.
Although many facilities have had vaccinations of residents and staff, no new orders exist to reflect those vaccinations. However, based on the information above, facilities have started re-opening visitation options as the case count in communities continues to decline. Additionally, there are still options for compassionate-care visitation.
If you have questions about visitation in a facility that you or your loved one resides in, feel free to ask the facility what their plan and policy is for indoor visitation and compassionate-care visitation. If the answer you receive is not satisfactory, or you would like clarification on your rights, please reach out to the Ombudsman for more information.
We are here and ready to discuss your concerns about visitation and other facility issues. Please reach out to our intake line at 419-259-2891. We understand that this is still a trying time, and we look forward to discussing your concerns and questions.
Megan Benner Senecal is a member of the Ombudsman Office.
