Governor DeWine announced that beginning July 20, 2020, nursing homes are permitted to begin outdoor visitation as long as all safety standards are met. So how do you have a safe visit with your loved one?
- You will be screened for symptoms. Your name will also be kept on a log of visitors that includes name and contact information. The Log shall be retained for at least 6 months. Policies and logs shall be made available upon request to residents, visitors, the Department of Health, Department of Developmental Disabilities, and any representative of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
- You will be required to wear a mask during the visit and residents, where possible, should also wear a mask during the visit.
- Your visit will be monitored. Facilities need to have adequate staff on-site to screen visitors as required by this Order.
- You will be encouraged to have a contact-free visit, meaning avoiding physical affection. If contact does occur, the resident shall wash hands thoroughly upon returning indoors and, if possible, change clothes upon returning indoors. Items such as wheelchairs or other touched items shall be cleaned and disinfected.
- Hand sanitizer shall be made available to visitors and residents for use before, after, and during the visit.
- On-site visits must be scheduled with the facility. Visitors will be provided a time for the visit as well as the length of the visit.
- Contingency plans should be made to address adverse weather as well as accommodations to provide for outdoor visit areas that provide shade for residents that may have sun-sensitivity.
At Morrow Manor, we offer video chats and scheduled, socially-distanced outdoor visits for those who want to connect with their loved ones that are staying with us. Give us a call at (419) 768-2401 to get more information.