DELAWARE- Families have been separated for a long time because of the pandemic including those who need their loved ones most.
Director of the Division of Healthcare Quality Corinna Getchell says residents in long-term care facilities will be able to see them more regularly under new regulations from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.
"We have permitted virtual visits such as FaceTime or Zoom calls throughout the pandemic and there were window visits that were permitted, but it’s not the same as seeing a love one in person," Getchell said.
Indoor visitation should be allowed except for some scenarios. If the patient is not vaccinated and the county positivity rate is greater than ten percent or fewer than seventy percent of residents are fully vaccinated, if residents are infected by COVID-19, or if the resident is in quarantine. Outdoor visits are preferred by DHSS.
CHEER has been providing services throughout the pandemic and has opened its centers to limited capacity. CEO Ken Bock says in-person interaction with everyone is essential especially for seniors.
"The opportunity for people to get that stimulation, physical as well as mental stimulation and interaction is just critical to helping maintain a healthy body and mind," Bock said. "For seniors its particularly important to have that interaction."
Compassionate care visits for people who are struggling with a change in lifestyle, grief, or physical or mental problems continue to be allowed regardless of infection rates. Any visit is encouraged to be done in a room where just the patient and the visitor are present.
While a negative test is not required to visit a loved one, DHSS says facilities should continue to encourage getting a test before coming and offer them if possible.
