Going forward, since nursing homes and long term care facilities were hard hit by COVID-19, what changes, besides greater access to PPE, do you envision taking place to prevent a similar scenario should another highly Virulent infectious organism be identified that has the potential to be as or more deadly than SARS-CoV2.
Good Morning Dr. Lisi---
I believe the entire resident visitation policy and strategies to ensure family interaction should be revisited. Given the multitude of residents in skilled nursing facilities that were not able to see family members, I believe that unique solutions to this problem should be consolidated and published. These activities include: virtual visits, "drive-by" social interactions outside of the facility, ongoing Face Time sessions, and "window" visits. Having a series of Plan B options would be expedient and helpful should another major quarantine occur.
Thank you for asking this important question. The psychosocial impact of the quarantine on these residents was tremendous. Dr. Dennis Klima, PT, PhD
I agree with Dr. Dennis Klima, although I have some other suggestions among others:
1. Guided virtual visits for selected residents by the nursing homes' caregivers since not all of the residents have the capability to use IT/social media; 2. always wear masks and frequent hand washing since immunity of the aging population is decreasing.3. If visiting conditions are OK, the visitors should come alternately, for example, a maximum of 1-2 persons per visit.
Thank you Dr. Klima for your insightful comments. I thoroughly agree about the negative impact that COVID-19 and the necessary restrictions have had on the mental health of nursing home residents. This came at a time when evidence was building of increased rates of suicide in this population. One can only speculate what effect COVID-19 has had on these rates.
Thank you Sharon for your helpful comments. I agree that mask-wearing, especially during the winter months, should be the norm. Flu is essentially non-existent in our facilities. I’m grateful that the apocalyptic scenario of raging flu and COVID-19 numbers did not come to fruition.
Hi Sharon---I like the idea of the guided virtual visits given the varied technology abilities among the residents. That's a great one to add to the list. DK
Se perguntarmos a muitos residentes se preferem continuar a viver sem poderem ter o afecto dessas visitas, talvez as respostas nos surpreendam....
A tecnologia digital pode e deve substituir essas presenças em momentos de risco crítico. Estimular skills digitais como desafio divertido sem nunca impôr.
Jamais nos desviarmos da esperança de uma presença próxima.
Does any one know if virtual reality or holographic technology is being explored to future enhance virtual visits? Might this be helpful versus harmful in cognitively intact older adults versus cognitively impaired elderly?
For assisted living residents, we should delay it as long as possible. We have lots of technological innovations such as monitoring cameras, smart medication minders, etc to help older people remain at home longer. Of course, internet, smart phones, and i-pads.
How do you balance the need for physical contact restrictions because of COVID and increasing reports of suicides in nursing homes? This data is from BEFORE the pandemic.
Suicide in Long-term Care Facilities—The Exception or the Norm?
Article Suicide in Long-term Care Facilities—The Exception or the Norm?