The pandemic has impacted everyone but perhaps none more than people living in long-term care and their families and friends. Our journey of recovery from this unprecedented global pandemic will involve a unique combination of trauma-informed care and disaster relief. On this webinar, we discussed the principles and interventions of moving forward while supporting ourselves and our families. We talked specifically about visitation in long-term care; as facilities transition to in-person visitation, reconnection with loved ones may present challenges.

During the pandemic, guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has limited (except for compassionate care situations) indoor visitation for residents in post-acute care facilities when the COVID-19 county positivity rate is >10% or when there is an outbreak occurring in the facility. Relaxing current restrictions on indoor visitation might increase the risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in post-acute care facilities. However, vaccination of residents and HCP can mitigate some of these risks, and expanding visitation has substantial benefits to residents.

According to CMS, we strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated, visitation can occur regardless of the visitor’s vaccination status

CMS recommends continuing to take precautions to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, however, remains vitally important

Visitation Guidance: CMS is issuing new guidance for visitation in nursing homes during the COVID-19 PHE, including the impact of COVID-19 vaccination.

CMS is providing clarification to recent guidance for visitation (see CMS memorandum QSO-20-39-NH REVISED 11/12/2021). While CMS cannot address every aspect of visitation that may occur, we provide additional details about certain scenarios below. However, the bottom line is visitation must be permitted at all times with very limited and rare exceptions, in accordance with residents’ rights. In short, nursing homes should enable visitation following these three key points: • Adhere to the core principles of infection prevention, especially wearing a mask, performing hand hygiene, and practicing physical distancing; • Don’t have large gatherings where physical distancing cannot be maintained; and • Work with your state or local health department when an outbreak occurs.

With the spread of the coronavirus, facilities must also devote time to ensure that their residents do not succumb to the negative effects of social isolation. With this in mind, staff may consider adopting the following practices to encourage communication with residents’ family and friends.

With the spread of the coronavirus, facilities must also devote time to ensure that their residents do not succumb to the negative effects of social isolation. With this in mind, staff may consider adopting the following practices to encourage communication with residents’ family and friends. (Spanish version)

Infographics/Signage with reminders of the core principles of Indoor Visitation

Infographics/Signage with reminders of the core principles of Indoor Visitation (Spanish version)