Employing strict social distancing policies has been the norm at nursing homes, especially as some states began allowing outdoor visits at long-term care facilities. Unfortunately, such policies still prevented physical contact with residents.
But one Virginia-based nursing home figured out a way to offer visits that allow residents to safely hold hands and hug their loved ones.
The Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation, a 62-bed facility in Roanoke, VA, started using its family visitation booth in early July. The booth features glass barriers at the top, and arm holes, with plastic gloves attached, at the bottom. Visitors can place their arms through the holes and touch residents while wearing the plastic gloves.
Facility staff members partnered with their maintenance department to create the booth, according to Esteban Duran-Ballen, administrator at the Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center.
With the help of the booth, Brandon Oaks has been scheduling visits in 20-minute increments. Staff members also clean and change the gloves between visits.
“The restrictions have been hard for the residents. They miss their families, some who used to visit every day,” says Stephen Davies, activities director for Brandon Oaks. “We hope this will help bring them back together in a unique way until they can truly be back together again.”
From the September 2020 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
