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Nursing home facility in Chicago IL called me (only daughter) yesterday to inform me they’ve restricted visitors. The nursing supervisor wanted to inform me directly because I she knows that I come daily. I asked her for how long and she said she was unsure.
Coincidentally, last week a new CNA dropped mom (72). Mom suffered 2 hematomas but is recovering very well. I had 2 CT scans performed 3 days apart. Everything looks good. Nothing was broken.
Mom is a feeder. She has few words now and is in full diapers. Surprisingly, she uses her eyes and body language to communicate with me. It is the absolute cutest thing ... not sure if I’m able to go more than a day without visiting with her besides I give her Ensure Plus, yogurt and graham crackers as a snack every day too. Any thoughts?

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Dduring this virus outbreak, the NH is absolutely within its rights to ban or limit visitors.

Ask if they will allow you to visit if you suit up.
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newnormal2, my friend and husband were just restricted from visiting their twin premature grandbabies in the NICU where they'be been for the past month. It's going to be a challenge for a lot of people.
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Total bans used to be the norm with any outbreak but are now a thing of the past in my region, of course that might change if community transmission becomes widespread. IMO people in your mother's phase of life don't have the time to wait out this crisis because it could literally be months if not years before there is a viable vaccine. Staff is coming and going daily so there is not really a total quarantine, try to work with the administrators to find a compromise - mask and gown? special visiting area?
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I visited my mom's skilled nursing facility today and for the first time they asked us to suit up. I gladly did. She's coming home Thursday, and while it's a rather swanky place, I can see that it would be a death trap if the virus gets there.

Now the babies in the NICU! That would break my heart! I was there 2 months with my preemie boy. I just would never leave rather than leave and risk not getting back in. So sad!
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Too bad that (as far as I know) there isn't the opportunity to talk through a window (like what apparently takes place in some prisons). This would probably be expensive and time-consuming to set up.
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tf2766 Mar 2020
Im not sure exactly what she was talking about as far as talking through window on phone. The no visitors was put in place yesterday at the AL where my mother is. Us kids have already decided we would go to the window of mom's room and call her from outside from our cell. We did this when facility was on lockdown because of the flu.
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I am not certain I understand this. Why are they restricting visitors. In all truth, even the Kirkland Washington facility is not currently doing this, though visitors are screened before entry. And they have had 20 of the 24 deaths in Washington State. Is this about something other than the Coronovirus? They do have workers coming and going daily. I would ask what their reasoning is, and what this is about. The coronovirus isn't going away, and it is our elders at greatest risk by far, but this seems such a burden on all. If this is the policy I am uncertain how you can get around it at all. Do hope you will update us.
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Alicew234 Mar 2020
I think Kirkland has restricted visitors. There were very sad reports of people visiting their parents and spouses through the windows and using phones.

They are still getting information about this virus but it appears that you are contagious before you have a fever. So screening people for fevers isn't going to stop the virus.
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I should ask the nursing supervisor to ask whoever made this decision (which I don't argue with, in principle) what infection control measures you might undertake to comply with in order to continue to visit.

If they haven't thought this through, they should have. They'll still be taking deliveries, having maintenance done, receiving mail - anybody who goes into residents' areas ought to be following some kind of protocol. And presumably the staff don't all live on site?

Over here there was talk of recruiting volunteers to boost staffing in nursing homes (I'm not at all sure they've thought that through! - not to mention somebody's bright idea of bringing extra doctors and nurses out of retirement, unless it's a cunning plan to bump them off and save on their pension payments), and what sort of crash course in care, catering and infection control would get them up to speed fast enough.

I'm taking my temperature every morning, besides our standard guidelines. If it's a whisker over normal I'll call in, and I assume I'll be told to stay away. But the virus is in the area, somebody's already tested positive for it, and really it's only a matter of time.
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I understand your concern but they are trying to protect their residents. This virus will kill a person with a weak immune system and lung problems. I just got a message from a man I take tea to in a NH, that no visitors are allowed. The virus will run its course just not sure when.
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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/prevent-spread-in-long-term-care-facilities.html

Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)

A new respiratory disease – coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – is spreading globally and there have been instances of COVID-19 community spread in the United States. The general strategies CDC recommends to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in LTCF are the same strategies these facilities use every day to detect and prevent the spread of other respiratory viruses like influenza.
Long-term care facilities concerned that a resident, visitor, or employee may be a COVID-2019 patient under investigation should contact their local or state health department immediately for consultation and guidance.
Prevent the introduction of respiratory germs INTO your facility
Post signs at the entrance instructing visitors not to visit if they have symptoms of respiratory infection.
Ensure sick leave policies allow employees to stay home if they have symptoms of respiratory infection.
Assess residents symptoms of respiratory infection upon admission to the facility and implement appropriate infection prevention practices for incoming symptomatic residents.
Symptoms of respiratory infection, including COVID-19:
-Fever
-Cough
-Shortness of breath
Prevent the spread of respiratory germs WITHIN your facility
Keep residents and employees informed.
Describe what actions the facility is taking to protect them, including answering their questions and explaining what they can do to protect themselves and their fellow residents.
Monitor residents and employees for fever or respiratory symptoms.
Restrict residents with fever or acute respiratory symptoms to their room. If they must leave the room for medically necessary procedures, have them wear a facemask (if tolerated).
In general, for care of residents with undiagnosed respiratory infection use Standard, Contact, and Droplet Precautions with eye protection unless suspected diagnosis requires Airborne Precautions (e.g., tuberculosis).
Healthcare personnel should monitor their local and state public health sources to understand COVID-19 activity in their community to help inform their evaluation of individuals with unknown respiratory illness. If there is transmission of COVID-19 in the community, in addition to implementing the precautions described above for residents with acute respiratory infection, facilities should also consult with public health authorities for additional guidance.
Support hand and respiratory hygiene, as well as cough etiquette by residents, visitors, and employees.
Ensure employees clean their hands according to CDC guidelines, including before and after contact with residents, after contact with contaminated surfaces or equipment, and after removing personal protective equipment (PPE).
Put alcohol-based hand rub in every resident room (ideally both inside and outside of the room).
Make sure tissues are available and any sink is well-stocked with soap and paper towels for hand washing.
Identify dedicated employees to care for COVID-19 patients and provide infection control training.
Guidance on implementing recommended infection prevention practices is available in CDC’s free online course — The Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training — which includes resources checklists for facilities and employees to use.
Provide the right supplies to ensure easy and correct use of PPE.
Post signs on the door or wall outside of the resident room that clearly describe the type of precautions needed and required PPE.
Make PPE, including facemasks, eye protection, gowns, and gloves, available immediately outside of the resident room.
Position a trash can near the exit inside any resident room to make it easy for employees to discard PPE.

For the most up-to-date information, visit www.cdc.gov/covid19.

Contact administrator of facility & ask if you can visit if you take specific precautions.
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Many people with loved ones in nursing homes have complained that the nursing homes aren't doing anything to protect the residents. Nursing homes do not usually carry the same protective equipment that hospitals do and even hospitals are running low and are asking visitors to stay away. Most nursing homes have little else to protect their residents with than banning visitors.

This is not about you but rather the residents. Call the nursing supervisor and make sure they know your routine for feeding your mother. I'd also ask if any of the staff have called out sick. Perhaps if staff have called out sick, the nursing supervisor will consider allowing you to volunteer your time to help your mother and other residents eat and wash their hands.

Please be mindful of the fact that the CDC does not yet know how COVID spreads. As of this morning: "The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community".
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I work in a Memory Care home as a receptionist. As of today, I have to take each visitor's TEMPERATURE with a forehead thermometer before allowing them access to the resident's area! Never mind that the virus has a 14 day incubation period meaning we can all be carrying it and show no symptoms for 14 days! Never mind that we workers come and go on a daily basis, potentially bringing the illness into the community.

But the media insists on hyping this virus up to hysterical proportions and we're buying into it. As a result, we are demanding that our nursing facilities be hyper vigilant about taking precautions to save the lives of our elders. Then we're complaining that we can't visit our loved ones or that we're being asked to take extra precautions in order to do so?

We need to make up our minds............how do we want to treat this virus? Like a death sentence (which it isn't), or like just another virus that we may or may not get? We can either live in fear and drive ourselves crazy with worry, or we can live our lives and let the chips fall where they may. We can stock up on toilet paper and have enough to last us till 2030, or we can calm down and recognize that toilet paper isn't a necessity AT ALL. Even if we ran out, there is still soap and water available to use.........unless we collectively decide to buy up all the soap on the shelves as well.

I work in the health care industry and my mother lives in a Memory Care home as well. I went to visit her yesterday & everyone there is fine. My daughter is an RN at a hospital and she's doing fine; not being eaten alive by worry either.

There are 12 cases of this virus in Colorado and 5.7 million people live here.

Let's keep this all in perspective, folks. Taking precautions is good. Going overboard isn't. That's my 2 cents
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cwillie Mar 2020
It may not be a "death sentence" to the general population but just like influenza it can certainly be one for the population who live in care facilities, many (most?) of whom are elderly and have comorbidities that make them vulnerable. And you can bet any facility where there is even one death will be hit with a major lawsuit, so there is a lot of proactive CYA going on.
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The NH where my Dad was admitted just yesterday, banned visitors today. No end date in sight. He doesn’t even have his clothes yet. They will meet us at the door to get them. No exceptions to the rule.
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newnormal2 Mar 2020
Seems to be the general consensus.
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I for one am relieved that I have not opportunity to visit mthr at the moment! We have never had a lovey dovey relationship but the staff of the MC don't know her background of being a child and animal abuser. I visit to put in an appearance for the staff. Mthr is on hospice and down to 74 lbs; I've seen her more in the last 8 years than I wanted to. I am freed from scheduling a visit with the hospice nurse or go on a Saturday during our busy season. If my last visit was goodbye, so be it.
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lealonnie1 Mar 2020
One of the only honest & reasonable comments on this entire site lately, in my opinion. Thank you!
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Welp. I am going to say it. I think you should stay calm and enjoy the respite! Trust that the facility is taking care of your mom and be glad that they are being pro-active and doing what they can to prevent their residents from getting Sick. you visit your mother daily and have to feed her.....I say, enjoy the break. I know it’s hard to stop and turn off being a caregiver but you can do it! Enjoy the newfound time on your hands and indulge in self-care.
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newnormal2 Mar 2020
Thank you. You’re words are quite encouraging.
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I am sorry, but just remember that is for the safety and health of your mom and the other residents.   Yes, I assume you can send stuff there, and the aids can explain that there is a moratorium on visiting.
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newnormal2 Mar 2020
Thank you for your kind words.
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This is not the first time facilities have restricted visitors. My aunt lived in an assisted living facility and during the 5 years she was there they went into lockdown and room restrictions at least 3 times just due to the flu.
These new restrictions protect our elderly and compromised health individuals. There is no vaccine or immunity to help protect these people. We have seen first hand in Washington state how deadly this virus is in the elderly.
You may or may not care if your loved one dies, but others do not feel that way. One sick person allowed into a facility could be the death sentence for many, not just your unloved one.
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Sendhelp Mar 2020
This part here was so unnecessary to comment:

"You may or may not care if your loved one dies,...."

The rest of your comment was true, forthright, and did not mince words. I liked it!
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Drop off the daily snack supply 1-2 times per week, at the front door of the NH, with brief instructions.

Add some See's candy for the staff. It will be fun, and the rest of your time will be a respite for you.

These precautions are necessary to prevent the spread of many illnesses at this time.
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newnormal2 Mar 2020
I love the staff. That’s a great idea!!
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The nursing home here also told us yesterday that we could not visit. But, my sister looked up the health department guidelines just issued here for the coronavirus, and it appeared the nursing home went a step beyond their recommendations. She spoke to the supervisor over the nursing home administrator (after being refused entry by him) and shared the guidelines. They then said only one visitor can be with my mom at a time and we must stay in her room. And we cannot be symptomatic or have had exposure.

As I was typing this the supervisor called me and stated that the regulations have changed as of today and we are not able to visit. He is going to try and arrange Skype. I can still pick up and drop off her laundry at the door and pay her bills at the desk. He would not promise or decline the ability to see my mother through the front door occasionally. He understands we are upset.

We wish to visit, because my mother is totally dependent, is finally almost healed from a pressure sore to the foot (threat of amputation of leg if not healed), and because of the turnover...we cannot be assured that staff will position her correctly, put on her booties, apply the correct dressing to her foot, not turn off her pressure mattress inadvertently, turn her, put pillows to prevent skin breakdown between her knees (contracted) and remember not to leave her arthritic hand under her body when turned (very painful for her).

We are there 40 hrs a week, between the two of us, to put aright all the things that go wrong. Things have improved dramatically since she was admitted about a year ago. But, we still have instances where staff do not read the orders or the orders were not put in the computer or the orders are misinterpreted. We'll be damned her foot is going to square one because of this restriction. When I asked if he would promise that my mom's foot would not revert to a staged pressure sore...he would not promise. He would only say that they would do their very best. So, you can imagine how I feel. Will their very best be enough? It is very frightening, because the governor and officials do not realize that it is family that prevents death and suffering and loneliness, as well. I do understand all the pressures that the administrator is under. I know that the staff are worried for themselves and their families, too. These are very uncertain and upsetting times.
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newnormal2 Mar 2020
I completely understand. I am hopeful things will get better soon. Consider the audio visual video or Face Time if able.
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NewNormal,
Maybe getting around the visiting restrictions are not a good idea, as I suggested. Even visiting professionals are going to be monitored or restricted in some ways.
I understand your concerns, but maybe there is another way.
I so very much wanted to support you though, and to be sure your Mom was safe and well-cared for.

Hoping any need for restricted visits will soon pass.
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cetude Mar 2020
except the workers. The staff. They still need staff to operate and short-staffed means they can't get cared for properly. Let me assure you the staff can get sick too.
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I'd follow their protocol. They are trying to protect their residents. Certain risks are unavoidable, but, others can be reduced, like visitors.
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If your Mom is in a Private Room, Let them know that she only communicates with you and you plan to continue to come daily and you will do whatever necessary like wear a gown, mask, wash hands and use hand sanitizer once you arrive.

If your mom isn't in a Private Room, then you wouldn't be able to visit.

You might think about taking her to your home or have them will her outside for visits.
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caringdil Mar 2020
Please do not visit. The protocol in place to protect your mom and the other residents. Coronavirus is deadly to the elderly. I would not want my loved one to get sick because of a visit from someone who brings in a virus.
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Im in the same situation. My mom is in a nursing home for rehabilitation. They have restricted all visitors now and I am not surprised as we are only 80 miles north of Kirkland. My mom however is very upset. I told her to stay in her room and continue with physical therapy and I will continue to call her and drop off her snacks. I can't imagine how you feel since your mom is non-verbal. All we can do is hope and pray that our loved ones will be cared for by the staff as if they were their own loved one. I dont have an answer for you and I'm sorry for that. I just wanted you to know I understand and you are not alone. ❤❤
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The nursing home where my mother lives called me Wednesday with the same message. I am on board with this restriction. The last thing I want to do is bring in viruses that are potentially deadly, as this one is. I work at a hospital and the expectation of the very worst is being planned for. I think for the next several weeks, we need to respect the healthy distance that we should keep from the Vulnerable.
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Does anyone know if things like Home Health are exempt? My dad gets treated for cellulitis by visiting nurses prescribed by his doctor to keep it under control. We also have caregivers that come in 3 days a week to get him to appointments plus me (Legal guardian) on Saturday. The AL called yesterday and said new, revised guidelines are coming in the mail. Guess I'll show up Saturday as always and see what happens.
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wolflover451 Mar 2020
I would think they would be wearing gloves when working with your father. and now maybe masks.  I have someone come bath my mother 2 times a week, she wears gloves all the time when working with my mom.  She (the worker) asked me about the virus and maybe not coming (she is a relative), I said that she has common sense and that if she isn't feeling well, to just call and let us know she is not coming. problem solved.  But gloves and masks go a long way. wishing you luck
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From what I have Read, Unless they are dying, Everyone has to abide by the Strict Rules. Call IN every day.
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The rules are in place for a reason.  This virus is deadly to the elderly and in a confined environment...it can spread like wildfire.  Your mom not getting her snack from you isn't going to kill her, but this virus could.  I understand that not seeing her is hard for you, but these restrictions are in her best interest.  It's risky enough having the caregivers in and out.

Hopefully this situation we are all in will peter out and we can go back to seeing our family members as often as we want!
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The directives to restrict visitors is coming from state and federal levels. The senior facilities must follow these guidances. It is going to be very difficult for family members who want to visit their loved ones. Can you arrange for deliveries of necessary supplies to the facility? Hopefully this restriction will only last for a few weeks.
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I don't know why because the workers can get sick with coronavirus or flu or whatever just as easily and they often are forced to go to work under threat of disciplinary action, especially if it's a corporation. You can always have your mom taken home and you can care for her.

If you are considering installing hidden cameras at a nursing home, there can be very serious legal consequences because a nursing home is still private property. There also can be Federal law issues as well under HIPAA. https://www.forpeopleforjustice.com/legal-install-video-camera-inside-nursing-home/

You can install cameras in YOUR home--it's YOUR property, but not other people's private property without their permission or knowledge.
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wolflover451 Mar 2020
I am pretty sure that due to this virus that they are now required to wear masks especially when in close contact with the residents.  at least they do where my father is located.  any one of us can contract this virus, we just have to take extra hygiene into consideration.  I am sure the nurses/doctors are being very careful.
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Restricting visits is the way we are taking care of them right now.
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What I am doing is giving her a call. Whenever she is awake. :) As long as she hears from me, that is good. I can take food to her and they can put it where they want to. I need to buy more snacks for her also.

It won't be that much longer for the shutdown. As long as my mom is being taken well care of, that is all that I care about...
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