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The Wyoming Department of Health has issued updated guidance that will allow long-term care facilities to permit in-person visitation outdoors under specific guidelines, and Powell Valley Care Center …
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The Wyoming Department of Health has issued updated guidance that will allow long-term care facilities to permit in-person visitation outdoors under specific guidelines, and Powell Valley Care Center leaders plan to do so.
“We are very excited to provide the opportunity for our residents to see and visit with their loved ones outside rather than through a window,” Powell Valley Care Center said in a Tuesday Facebook post.
The new guidance requires visits to occur in a designated outdoor space, limits visitors to two people at a time and requires that visitors be screened for symptoms of respiratory illness. A facility staff member trained in patient safety and infection control measures must remain with the resident at all times during the visit. Staff and residents must wear surgical face masks and visitors are required to wear face coverings.
“We recognize how challenging this pandemic has been for Wyoming’s aging population and their families; isolation can be debilitating for our seniors,” Gov. Mark Gordon said in a statement announcing the news. “I’m glad we are able to take this step to make in-person visits possible in a safe manner.”
Powell Valley Care Center’s post said the facility will have a designated visiting space, with hand sanitizer, surgical masks and seating available for visitors. The center will be contacting families in alphabetical order to set up times.
The plan is to allow visits on Monday through Friday, with weekend visits under only special circumstances.
“With the large number of residents, visits will be scheduled for 30-minute increments in order to provide the opportunity for everyone,” said Powell Valley Care Center’s post, adding, “As with all new processes, this may take some time to get it running smoothly and we appreciate all the help and understanding from each of you during this time.”
Routine testing of staff and residents at Wyoming long-term care facilities is continuing, with a goal of eventually testing 100% of all staff and residents for COVID-19, state officials said. The decision to allow visitation rests with individual facilities, such as the care center.
