SIOUX CITY (KTIV) - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services or CMS, along with the Centers for Disease Control, recently issued updated guidance for nursing homes to safely expand visitation options during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's a big step for those living with Alzheimer's and dementia in long-term care facilities and their families.
If residents are fully vaccinated, the new CMS guidelines allow for close contact, including touch.
In these situations, visitors must still wear a well-fitted mask while also physically distancing themselves from other residents and staff in the facility.
You can find a full list of the updated guidelines by clicking here.
Leaders with the Alzheimer's Association said the new guidelines are exciting and they're hopeful that the momentum can continue to build.
"There are so many things that have affected them during the pandemic and it just feels kind of like a light at the end of the tunnel to see that this is a step we're taking to get things back to resume some normalcy and it's really exciting for everybody who's affected by this disease and everybody who has a loved one in a long-term care facility," said Acacia Deadrick, Program Specialist.
Deadrick added because holidays are something that happens year after year, many people who suffer from Alzheimer's or dementia have memories from childhood that they can pull on.
"With this disease, you often remember things from way, way in the past much better than you do things that happened recently so a lot of these people might have some really happy memories associated with Easter, and being able to celebrate that again is going to be a great way to connect with them too," said Deadrick.
It's been a long year for those who live in assisted living and long-term care facilities and their families. But, with new guidelines, being able to see family members face to face is bring back hope.
Linda Kriener's mom has been living with dementia for around 10 years now and she's been living at Sunrise Retirement community for the past two.
With the recent changes in guidelines, she's finally been able to see her mom once again.
"Just being able to go into her room and see her face-to-face… it makes a world of difference they're you know seeing it different through a window and you know when they put their hands up they just want to touch you so bad but being able to see them face-to-face now is… it really touches your heart," said Linda Kriener.
Kriener said they could see how not being able to visit affected her mom.
"For a while, we saw you know a decline in her attitude, her health not eating being able to go in there now is even if it's once a week it is it's a blessing to be able to be right there with her. Through this pandemic, that stretch of not being able to see them really took a toll on their well-being, and now you just see that the glow in their eyes and they're starting to you know regain their happiness back," said Kriener.
Hopeful for what's to come.
"I'm excited to try to get back to normal again I know it's going to be slow but I'm so thankful that we are moving forward and being able to at least visit them," said Kriener.
Kriener said her mom loves to go for drives. She said they would be able to take her out for about an hour this Easter day.
"allow" - Google News
April 05, 2021 at 04:00AM
https://ift.tt/39Kho6J
New guidelines allow loved ones in long term care and assisted living facilities to see each other face-to-face once again - KTIV
"allow" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2KTEV8j
https://ift.tt/2Wp5bNh
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "New guidelines allow loved ones in long term care and assisted living facilities to see each other face-to-face once again - KTIV"
Post a Comment