Akash Brahmbhatt Shares What To Expect From Nursing Home Visits In A Post-COVID Vaccine World
For those with loved ones living in nursing homes, visitation with family has looked different in the past year, according to nursing home owner Akash Brahmbhatt. Some nursing homes didn’t allow visitors at all, while others allowed visiting in open-air spaces, or through glass barriers.
Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is available to most adults in the United States, nursing home visitation regulations are beginning to change. Many people are able to see their loved ones for the first time in over a year. Here, Akash Brahmbhatt explains how visitation regulations are changing across the United States.
Note: While many nursing homes are changing their regulations to allow visitors, these changes may not apply to all nursing homes. It’s important to check with office staff for visiting policy updates before planning a nursing home visit.
Visitors Are Welcome — With Restrictions, According To Akash Brahmbhatt
Many nursing homes are allowing residents to have visitors, with limitations.
Visiting limitations may include:
Only allowing vaccinated visitors
Restricting visit time to 20 minutes or less
Requiring temperature checks prior to building entry
Only allowing a certain number of unique visitors each week
It’s likely that these restrictions will change with time.
A Resident’s Health May Determine Whether Visitors Are Permitted
If a resident has a condition that makes them especially vulnerable to COVID-19 complications, their doctor may recommend that they refrain from entertaining visitors until both the resident and the visitors have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations.
Nursing Homes May Change Visitation Protocol Based On The Health Of The Facility
While many facilities now have the coronavirus under control, outbreaks may continue to happen for some time. If a facility undergoes an outbreak, Akash Brahmbhatt says that visitation may cease for a period of time, or no visitors may be allowed at all.
Keeping Loved Ones’ Spirits High
Many elderly people thrive on routine. If you previously had a regular visiting schedule, it’s likely that the past year has been especially tough on your loved one. As COVID-19 restrictions continue to evolve, it may be helpful to give your elderly loved one something fun to look forward to each month, such as a care package or a flower delivery, according to Akash Brahmbhatt.
Many nursing homes have developed ways to allow patients to Zoom and FaceTime with their loved ones, helping them to continue connecting regardless of outside circumstances.