By JAMES BARR
During the COVID-19 pandemic, retirement homes and assisted living facilities (long-term care facilities) have needed to take extra precautions when it comes to dealing with residents and visitors. But recent federal data show a dramatic drop in Covid-19 cases.
According to the CDC, “The greatest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 is among those aged 85 or older.” The CDC have also said that 8 out of 10 COVID-19 deaths reported in the U.S. have been in people 65 years and older. But, as more facilities get the vaccine out to their residents the numbers of cases and deaths are dropping. As the vaccine comes out to the public, people aged 75 years or older are some of the first to have access to the vaccine. Since the vaccine was released in December of last year, there was a high spike of about 51,000 cases in January, cases have dropped to about 2,300 in New Jersey.
The CDC has said, “The Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care (LTC) Program is facilitating on-site vaccination of residents and staff at more than 65,000 enrolled LTCFs. Pharmacy partners participating in the program are conducting three on-site vaccination clinics for every enrolled facility.” The facilities taking part in this program will likely be finished by March of this year.
Another Challenge for the Facilities
This report was released on March 18, 2020, on March 31, 2020 New Jersey’s Department of Health sent a letter to all “Post-Acute Care Settings,” which includes long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies.
Back in March of 2020, after a COVID outbreak within a Washington state long-term care facility, the CDC released a “Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report” explaining that these facilities “should take proactive steps to protect the health of residents and preserve the health care workforce.”
In April of 2020, a makeshift morgue containing 17 people who had passed from COVID-19 was found at the Andover Subacute and Rehabilitation Center in Andover, New Jersey. The center was fined for $220,000.
This letter explains that the types of care units are not allowed to deny any residents who are being re-admissioned who have been confirmed to have a diagnosis of COVID-19. The letter also says that, “Post-acute care facilities are prohibited from requiring a hospitalized patient/resident who is determined medically stable to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission.”
This order was issued “in order to respond to the increase in positive cases.” As hospital capacity was running out, a place was needed to send stable patients. Hospital discharge planners need to confirm over the phone that these patients were medically stable enough to be discharged.
Visitation procedures eased
Daniel Barr, 58, over this past summer had to speak to his mother more than 6 feet away through a screen door at Brightview Senior Living due to their strict visitation rules. After a few months, visitors were allowed to enter the building and see their loved ones.
Barr explained the process he had to go through in order to have a face to face meeting with his mother.
Once a visitor is let through the door, to their left they will see a testing station, and straight ahead you will see the front desk. After signing in, visitors are sent over to the testing station and receive a rapid test.
At Brightview, if a visitor tests negative they have a 48 hour pass before they are required to get tested again by the facility. Barr had said that masks are required when visiting, and everything is wiped down by the staff after it is used.
Safety Precautions
According to Brightview Senior Living’s website, they are currently giving vaccinations to current residents, associates, and incoming residents. Brightview is currently partnered with Walgreens in order to distribute the vaccine to their communities.
The CDC has also released a guide with considerations for retirement communities and independent living facilities. Two of the most important things mentioned on the guide are, “Risk increases with age,” and “They may have underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease.”
These communities need to maintain healthy environments within their common areas, which involves, cleaning and disinfection, ventilation, clean water (in order to help prevent Legionnaires disease), changing indoor layouts to be more distanced, and physical barriers such as sneeze guards along with physical guides which includes tape on the floor marking a 6 foot distance.
Ways to Help
This is a tough time for everyone, including the residents in these types of communities and their employees. There are ways for people to help each other out, by reaching out to local assisted living facilities people can ask if there is anything needed, ranging from personal protective equipment to games and puzzles.
Highlights the importance of movement, social interaction and routine in the care of people with #dementia. #bpsd #ltc @COVID_LTC #Covid_19 https://t.co/gR5qkpu7vs
— Geriatrician Nishi ?? (@GeriMedMD) August 2, 2020
The audio clip was a great touch and though it sounded like a phone call, it was clear to understand. To where I think the story could go next, based on the last part of your article, I think it would be interesting to dive into more reporting about the mental health of people in these facilities and their families’ mental health. I feel like that would be a strong, humane story.