ABC 33/40: Assisted living homes easing visitation restrictions amid COVID-19 pandemic
Longleaf Liberty Park Among Those Easing Restrictions
BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WBMA) — Families who have loved ones in assistant living facilities have not been able to see their loved ones face to face for months.
Virginia Black calls Longleaf Liberty Park home.
Her daughters Ginger Cowley and Robbie Roberts said its been tough not being able to see their mother.
“That interaction, that holding her hand giving a little hug every day, just seeing the light in her eyes, those things you just miss, and you don’t really realize it until you don’t have it,” said Cowley.
Roberts said technology has been a life saver when it came down to communication.
“She has been able to keep up with children and grandchildren and great grandchildren,” said Roberts.
Each resident can have one guest at a time for 30 minutes.
Temperatures must be checked and masks are required.
Staff at Long Leaf said they have been preparing for their residents to finally have guests for the past week.
“Knowing that they have more visitation ability with their family and having visitors coming in, you just see that change happening with even how they are getting up,” said Executive Director Leslie Carter.
New regulations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said a facility must go 14 days without any positive COVID-19 test of patients or staff.