"The connection with family and friends is vital": Changes come to nursing homes as more vaccines

[TexasTowelie]

“The connection with family and friends is vital”: Changes come to nursing homes as more vaccines become available


INDIANAPOLIS—As COVID-19 spread last year, nursing homes restricted visitation for their residents. While more than 184,000 residents and staff of nursing homes and long-term care facilities died throughout the country, loved ones and caregivers were only allowed to see their family members through windows or on a phone call.

In order to keep seniors safe, they weren’t allowed to step foot in the building—which carried its own set of consequences.

During the 2021 session, Senate Bill 202 regarding hospital and health facility visitation was signed into law. The bill allows a person admitted as a patient to a hospital or ambulatory outpatient surgical center or facility during a declared emergency or public health emergency to receive visitation by specified individuals. It was co-authored by Sen. Linda Rogers, R-Granger, Sen. Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, and Sen. Jean Leising, R-Oldenburg.

Leising also authored Senate Bill 229 on nursing home visitation, which would allow family caregivers to visit their loved ones despite restrictions. Although this bill did not become a law, Leising does not see a need to refile it in the next session because of Senate Bill 202.

Read more: http://thestatehousefile.com/the-connection-with-family-and-friends-is-vital-changes-come-to-nursing-homes-as-more-vaccines-become-available/