Province looking at easing restrictions at long term care homes
Posted June 24, 2020 7:54 am.
Last Updated June 24, 2020 7:55 am.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – As the number of active cases of COVID-19 in Alberta starts to dwindle, residents of long term care homes and their families are hoping the province will ease some visitor restrictions.
A series of telephone town halls are being held to get feedback from families, residents and operators of long term care homes.
Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, said 62 per cent of those they’ve spoken with so far think the need for human connection is great enough that guidelines need to be reconsidered.
“That speaks volumes about many, many Albertans who keenly want, either if they’re living in these facilities or their loved ones are, more connection, more ability to visit, more ability to have that in-person communication.”
Hinshaw said this lack of connection is having a negative impact on the health of residents in care homes.
She added the feedback she receives at the town halls will be used when the province updates its current policies, which heavily restrict visitor access.
“What we’re hearing is that people are really needing to know how we can move forward to allow those who live in those facilities to have more social connection while still keeping them safe from COVID-19 exposure. That’s a difficult balance to maintain.”
As of Wednesday, just three long term care facilities in the Calgary Zone have reported outbreaks of COVID-19. That number was over 10 in April.
Currently, Alberta Health prohibits any visitors to these care homes with the exception of designated essential visitors.
That includes one visitor to a resident who is at the end of their life or if their quality of life or care needs can’t be met without the essential visitor’s assistance
