The fight for expanded visitation at nursing homes around New York State is growing.
A group of five area nursing homes is calling for changes to the state’s restrictions.
The people who run St. John’s, Friendly Senior Living, Episcopal Senior Life, St. Ann’s and Jewish Senior Life are involved.
They are concerned about the long-term impact of no visitation for residents at nursing homes.
“It puts them at a higher risk of cognitive decline,” said Nate Sweeney of St. John’s Nursing Home. “It puts them at higher risk for all the pieces that come with depression.”
“COVID is absolutely a risk,” said Sweeney. “No nursing home is advocating for anything to happen in an unsafe manner. But what we are saying is there has to be a way to get people connected back to their loved ones in a more meaningful way.”
At this point they are asking for the allowance of one visitor per resident. In this case, the person would be COVID tested.
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