The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted all of us – but one section of society who has really been adversely affected is those living in nursing homes and long-term residential care facilities.
When the virus arrived here last March, these two areas bore the brunt of the deaths as it prayed on the most vulnerable.
Following this, nursing homes and long-term care facilities went into their own form of lockdown.
Visits were banned for a period of time and when they did resume, it was on a very restricted basis.
Now, Covid-19 cases and outbreaks in nursing homes are now at a very low level, largely due to the positive impact of the vaccination programme.
From July 19, the public health advice is to restore visiting to near normal in terms of frequency of visits in those settings with a high level of vaccination of residents as quickly as possible, while also recognising the need to remain cautious as we continue to deal with the evolving risks associated with the virus.
The guidance will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.
The new guidance provides that providers should put in place the necessary measures to progress to more normalised visiting and visiting frequency as quickly as possible in line with public health guidance with no more than two visitors at any one time.
Routine visiting will no longer need to be scheduled in advance and there is no requirement to have a list of nominated visitors.
The duration of the visit should not be limited while fewer restrictions will apply to residents going on outings or visits outside of the nursing home.
Local Senator Fiona O’Loughlin, who comes from Rathangan, welcomed the news.
She said “Nursing home staff, residents, and their families have been so adversely impact over the last 16 months.
“People living in nursing homes and other residential care facilities need to be allowed to maintain their relationships with those who are near and dear to them. Visitation access is an essential part of that.
“I now appeal that all nursing home providers facilitate visiting, to the greatest extent possible, in line with the guideline.
“They must communicate early with residents and families on a clear plan towards more normalising visiting arrangements.
“Social isolation has been such a difficult repercussion of the covid lockdowns, and many in nursing homes and other residential care facilities were disproportionately impacted. It is vital that nursing homes now implement this new advice.”
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