NURSING HOMES ARE SAFE AGAIN FOR RESPITE CARE.
This updated memo issued by the New York State Department of Health (dated March 25, 2021) indicates that the new criteria mimics similar guidance issued by U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“While both New York State and CMS guidance have focused on protecting nursing home residents from COVID-19, we recognize that physical separation from family and other loved ones has taken a physical and emotional toll on residents and their loved ones,” the letter said.
In addressing these new rules, Governor Cuomo had this to say:
“From the very beginning we’ve used science and data to find the appropriate balance between protecting our most vulnerable populations in nursing homes and the importance of allowing safe contact with their loved ones.”
The Governor pointed to the emergence of several viable vaccines and their availability as a catalyst for this paradigm shift.
“We now have three effective vaccines that are leading to significant decreases in long-term care COVID cases and a robust staff testing system to limit community spread from entering a facility,” Cuomo stated. “Now is an appropriate time to take the next step and safely reconnect this community with their families.”
THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A SAFER TIME TO CONSIDER APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY.
NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO CONSIDER RESPITE CARE DURING THESE SUMMER MONTHS!
