ok to visit?

5 questions to ask about visiting nursing homes

Noralee Driscoll, a resident of The Springs at Butte, and her son Brian Driscoll, the plant operations director, demonstrate the use of the looking glass — a Plexiglas partition used for family meetings with residents of the Butte nursing home. AARP Montana Has it gone at least 28 days sure? in place, in accordance with Nursing homes are starting to resume in-person visits for families in many states as COVID-19 restrictions ease. These visits will be different than before the without a new COVID-19 case? Are cases declining in the surrounding community? Have all residents and staff been tested for COVID-19? Observing visitors for any symptoms or signs of infection? 3. Are visits restricted by time and place? federal guidelines? Do I have to wear a mask? Will the nursing home provide one for me? Is hand sanitizer available pandemic, at least for some time. Does it have enough staff? Do I need to make an appointon-site, or do I need to bring my There may be limits on when, Are there adequate supplies ment with the nursing home to own? where and for how long you can of personal protective equipment visit a loved one? Do I have to stay 6 feet from see loved ones, and distancing (PPE) and cleaning and disinfectWill visiting hours be remy loved one? rules will likely be in place. ing products? stricted, or individual visits timeCan I bring food or gifts for

AARP has developed some Are there plans to permit outlimited? my loved one? key questions to ask nursing door visits as a transitional step, Can I request a schedule for 5. Are you doing everything homes, assisted living, and other like some states have allowed? when I can visit my loved one on possible to minimize risks to long-term care facilities — and a regular basis? residents? yourself — about when and how 2. What kinds of health Can I go to my loved one’s Don’t visit if you feel ill, even visitation might resume. checks will be required for visiroom, or are visits limited to desif the symptoms are mild. 1. What is the nursing home tors? ignated areas inside (or outside) Don’t visit if you’ve had doing to help make it safe for Is the facility following federal the facility? close contact with someone with visitors to come back? guidelines for visitor screening, Can more than one person visit COVID-19 in the previous two

Has the facility met the federal including: a resident at a time? weeks. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Checking visitors’ temperaWho can I contact if I am deKeep visits short — and stay Services (CMS) recommendatures? nied a visit with my loved one? outdoors, if possible. tions for allowing visitors? For Asking about COVID-19 4. What protective and Consider a virtual visit example: symptoms and potential exposocial-distancing measures are instead. MT55 22

Your weekend starts here