Visitation A Must At RI Nursing Homes, Health Officials Say

PROVIDENCE, RI — As Rhode Island continues to reopen and loosen coronavirus restrictions, the Department of Health is making sure nursing home residents are not forgotten. On Monday, the department sent a memo to long term care facilities in the state, reminding them of the importance of allowing visitation.

"Thank you for all of your considerable efforts over the last difficult year to care for Rhode
Island’s most vulnerable population," the memo began. "Now that the COVID-19 vaccine and spring have arrived, RIDOH’s expectation is that visitation will increase and facilities will begin to achieve pre-COVID-19 visitation levels."

A recent DOH survey showed that 88 facilities across the state offered more than 3,100 visits from March 9 through 14, the memo continued. Many facilities said the process was going well, with residents and their families eager to reconnect after months of required shutdowns.

"Everyone is excited to visit their loved ones and cooperating with all recommended guidelines and social distancing set forth by our community," one facility said, while another explained: “no difficulties at all. But we have been doing visits right along with no problems."

Many loved ones of facility residents have reported to the department that visitation is not available, or not sufficient, such as one visit per person in a three-week period, the memo continued. The department went on to remind facilities of the federal and state regulations regarding visitation, that coincide with the latest state health guidance for nursing homes announced March 16.

"We encourage you to review all of this information to ensure you are in compliance," the memo continued. "Going forward, RIDOH will focus on visitation issues during regular surveys as well as respond quickly to visitation complaints. RIDOH’s expectation is that all long-term care facilities provide visitation that is responsive to public requests and aligned with residents’ needs."

"Responsiveness" includes accommodating all visitation requests the week the request is made, in accordance with the resident's preferences, the memo explained.

"RIDOH is prepared to take regulatory action to ensure visitation compliance in all Rhode Island long-term care facilities," the memo concluded. "Again, thank you for all you do to keep residents of Rhode Island’s long-term care facilities safe and healthy in these challenging times."