SENIOR ADVOCACY
This question is coming across my desk a lot and the answer is yes, they can. Since our country is in the middle of a pandemic and with an unprecedented number of people currently in long-term care facilities, there are changes being made at the State and Federal level regarding. access to patients in long-term care facilities. These changes are being made to protect not only the residents but the staff that cares for the access to patients in long-term care facilities.
These changes are being made to protect not only the residents, but the staff that care for the residents, to try to stop the possible contamination of the facility from the COVID 19 virus.
There are two primary agencies that regulate long-term care facilities. The Center of Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) is at the Federal level and each State has a department that oversees long-term care communities at the State level. CMS regulates all the skilled nursing communities that accept Medicare and Medicaid. If a skilled nursing home does not accept Medicare and/or Medicaid, then they are regulated by the State. Currently, the States ae following the guidelines of CMS for all the facilities.
On March 13, 2020, CMS issued new nationwide guidelines for long-term care facilities. These new guidelines went into effect immediately and required all long-term care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and residential care facilities to restrict ALL visitors and any professionals who are classified as non-essential health care providers. A non-essential worker is defined as any employee whose presence at work is not required to assist the community during an emergency.
There is an exception for “compassionate care” situations, such as end-of-life. In these situations, visitors will be screened for respiratory symptoms, required to use protective equipment, such as facemasks, and are limited to only the specific resident’s room. Decisions about visiting during an end-of-life situation will be made on a case-by-case basis and any individual with symptoms of a respiratory infection including, fever, cough, shortness of breath or sore throat, will NOT be permitted to enter the facility at any time, including in end-of-life situations.
With the development of the COVID Vaccines there is hope that soon these restrictions will start to loosen up and in-person visit will be allowed. Some States have started allowing some other professionals to come in such as Hospice Nurses.
Many adult children struggle with having to place a parent in a long-term care community. Sometimes a parent has made their children promise never to place them in a nursing home years before they became ill. So, what should you do if you made such a promise?
There are times when an individual’s care needs are so great that you must place them in a long-term care community in order to get their care needs addressed. Examples of this are when a parent has dementia and is up all night, or there is a concern that they will wander off and not know how to get home. A spouse or adult child cannot remain up all night just to make sure their loved on doesn’t wander off. If the caregiver cannot get adequate sleep each night then they are not able to provide care the next day. Other medical conditions such as advanced Parkinson’s, Cancer or ALS also require the caregiver to be able to get good quality sleep and be able to have periods where they can leave to take care of their household and personal needs. If they do not have a good support system them placement in a long-term care community may be the most loving option for them to consider. I have had too many of my caregivers, particularly spouses pass away before their loved one because they did not take care of themselves.
Can a Nursing Home Restrict a Power of Attorney/Family Member from Entering a Long-Term Care Facility?
Is it wrong for me to place my parent in a nursing home?
ELECTRONIC CAREGIVER
Electronic Caregiver® Premier includes a pocket smart health device and emergency wrist pendant, with one-touch telehealth and interactive care plan support. Electronic Caregiver® Premier utilizes both Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Cellular Based Location Services (CBS) to locate the user’s current location, with 24/7 emergency response and automated health surveys. Our highly sensitive microphones allow operators to hear clients anywhere the mobile device is, whether in your home or on the go. ECG Premier allows seniors the confidence to live longer, safer, and more independently.
Electronic Caregiver – PRO HEALTH
With ECG Pro Health, managing your health has never been so effortless. 24/7 clinical care support improves treatment adherence and delivers early identification to providers. Pro Health includes in-depth analytics and trend monitoring, which promotes early and more accurately informed interventions.
Our connected devices monitor key vitals and health indicators, which are stored and shared automatically through our Care Circle App and integrated health dashboards. Threshold alerts and actionable data are transmitted to care teams in real time. Interactive health screenings and assessments can be updated and managed automatically. Doctors and loved ones can view the information they need most in a convenient place they can access anywhere.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM HAVING THE ELECTRONIC CAREGIVER?
Seniors
The Electronic Caregiver (ECG) allows seniors to remain independent in their homes. The Electronic Caregiver gives the seniors and their
loved one’s peace of mind knowing that they have 24/7 access to emergency services if they need assistance as well as providing reminders to take medication, check blood sugar, blood pressure, or weight daily.
Anyone with a Chronic Illness
Any individual regardless of age with any health issues i.e. diabetes, epilepsy, M.S., M.D., head injury, the list is endless.
College Students
Parents can’t help but worry about their children as they go off to school. Electronic Caregiver will give the parents a sense of security, knowing their children have access to emergency help 24/7. They will also always know where their children are (GPS).
Personal Safety for All
Currently, crime is on the rise; you read every day about individuals in your community who have been victims of unspeakable crimes. If you are approached by someone who wants to rob you or harm you in any way, the perpetrator will almost always take your wallet and phone. If you have the ECG, which is worn as a wrist bracelet or a pendant around your neck, you will be able to get immediate help even when your phone is not available. Electronic Caregiver can locate you (GPS) and send help (police, fire, ambulance) to you no matter where you are.
What is the Electronic Caregiver?