Strict rules to be in place as indoor visitation resume at nursing homes

COLUMBUS — Strict rules will be in place at Ohio nursing homes and long term care facilities when indoor visitation resumes on Oct. 12.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the change in state orders at his Thursday coronavirus news conference. Ohio banned visitation at nursing homes in March, shortly after the state’s first COVID-19 cases. This summer, the state allowed limited outdoor visits.

“We know… this was hard,” DeWine said Thursday. It was hard for the residents of nursing homes, residents of assisted living, and it’s hard for their families."

Ohio Director of Aging Ursel McElroy laid out some of the regulations for indoor visitation beginning Oct. 12. Visits will be limited to 30 minutes, in designated visitation areas, in order to allow for proper sanitization in between family visits. Only two visitors will be allowed per resident, per visit, and visitors must make visitation appointments in advance.

Visitors must be able to socially distance, and will be required to wear a face covering provided by the facility.

McElroy said some exceptions will be made for “compassionate care situations” – not just end-of-life situations.

However, she also acknowledged the risk in this change.

“We join your feelings of happiness for your residents,” McElroy said in a statement directed at nursing home employees. “We also join your feelings of concern for these same residents about the risks; risks we know haven’t changed and won’t change until this coronavirus emergency is passed us.”

Part of the reason for the change in visitation rules, DeWine said, had to do with the weather.

“We know it’s going to get cold, it won’t be that long, and we know outdoor visitation won’t work,” he said.

The Ohio Health Care Association, which advocates for the nursing home and long term care facility industry in Ohio, told News Center 7 Thursday it supports the decision to allow indoor visitation.

“Famlies have been clamoring for indoor visitation, especially with the onset of cooler weather,” said Pete Van Runkle, Executive Director. “This order meets that need…while maintaining important protections to ensure the safety of residents and staff.”

Ultimately, state leaders said the decision to open up nursing homes to indoor visitation will be up to individual facilities. McElroy said facilities should consider factors like case status in surrounding communities, within the facility, and preparedness with staffing, testing and PPE within the home.

Cox Media Group