July 22, 2020 3:25 a.m.
Oregon’s licensed long-term care providers may begin providing limited outdoor visitations for residents if the facility develops a plan to adhere to required safeguards to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
A release from the Oregon Department of Human Services said the safety prerequisites include health screenings, face coverings, physical distancing and limits on the number of visitors, and are mandatory as Oregon continues to experience an increase in outbreaks at long-term care facilities. The release said while visits with family and friends are essential to well-being they also create significant risk, not only for the individual who is seeing a loved one, but for everyone who lives and works in that care facility.
The outdoor visitation policy applies to all facilities licensed by the Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, including nursing, assisted living, residential and memory care facilities as well as all adult foster homes. The release said facilities that are currently coping with COVID-19 cases, or suspected cases, may not offer outside visitation until DHS determines that the outbreak has resolved. All current indoor visitation restrictions issued in March remain in place, however residents are free to leave and return to their facility if following all public health guidance.
Interim Director of the DHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities, Mike McCormick said he hopes the policy provides some relief to residents, their family members and friends who “…have suffered extreme hardship as a result of visitation restrictions required during the pandemic”. He said balancing resident safety with the essential need to have contact with family and friends is challenging as COVID-19 presents life-threatening risks and spreads rapidly in congregate care settings. McCormick said “We will continue to evaluate all long-term care policies in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority to ensure they are in line with Governor Kate Brown’s reopening plan for the state”.