Some Indiana nursing homes close access to visitors
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Nursing homes across Indiana are closing access to visitors upon the recommendations of health officials amid the COVID-19 concerns.
Central Indiana nursing homes restricting visitors include ones operated by American Senior Communities, CarDon & Associates, and CommuniCare Family of Companies, according to relatives of people in those facilities who have contacted News 8.
On Tuesday, the Indiana State Department of Health recommended that nursing homes follow guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The latest guidance calls for the screening or limitations on visitors. The latest guidance also calls for increased screening for COVID-19 among patients and health care workers.
American Senior Communities, which has over 80 licensed facilities, said Tuesday it was restricting visitors and limiting access to its facilities to essential personnel who have been screened.
“We are very sensitive to the needs of our customers and understand that connecting our residents with their loved ones is incredibly important. We are offering access to communication devices and extra support to families desiring a visit with their loved ones through alternative methods such as telephone, email, text, video chat or social media during this challenging public health concern,” the statement from American Senior Communities said.
CarDon said in a statement posted online, “We are operating under guidelines from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and as such we are limiting ALL outside visitors with the exception of rare circumstances, such as immediate family members in end-of-life situations or when it is medically necessary for our resident.”
Ohio-based CommuniCare could not be reached by phone after its offices had closed Tuesday.