Coronavirus in Long-Term Care Facilities: Information for Advocates

Webinar Materials

• Part I - Recording; Slides (April 17, 2020) - Overview of COVID in nursing homes; Actions to expand coverage, reimbursement; Federal waivers of regulations; CMS Guidance; Advocacy recommendations

• Part II - Recording; Slides (April 23, 2020; Slides Updated April 27, 2020) - New CMS Guidance; Provider requests for Immunity; State advocacy examples from CA, CT, MA, and MI

• Part III - Recording; Slides (May 8, 2020) - CMS reporting requirements; CMS waivers of regulatory requirements; Use of CMPs to purchase devices; Administration announcements; Overview of targeted infection control surveys

• Part IV - Recording; Slides (May 15, 2020) - Transfer requirements and waivers; COVID-only facilities; Nurse Aide training; Testing of residents and staff

• Part V - Recording; Slides (May 22, 2020) - CMS’s nursing home reopening recommendations; Tips for advocates; GAO report on infection control in nursing homes; Reporting requirements

• Part VI - Recording; Slides (May 29, 2020) - Tips for advocates; Infection control surveys; State data on reporting, testing, and immunity

• Part VII - Recording; Slides (June 5, 2020) - CMS, memo on infection control, expanded surveys, state performance, and enhanced enforcement of facilities with infection control deficiencies; Review of newly released COVID data

• Part VIII - Recording; Slides (June 12, 2020) - Discussion around reuniting residents and families; Stimulus checks; House Oversight Briefing 6.11.20; Concerns raised by residents

• Part IX - Recording; Slides (June 19, 2020) - Immunity for liability; Federal requirements for protecting residents from abuse, neglect, exploitation

• Part X - Recording; Slides (June 26, 2020) - CMS guidance on reporting of staffing data; Preparing comments on interim rule on reporting requirements; Reuniting residents and families, with state experiences in Ohio and West Virginia; New CMS FAQs; Social media campaign about visitation

Hide text

Creative Ideas and Practices for Staying Connected During Isolation

• Communicate via letters and cards or drop off care packages at the facility.

• Use technology - video chat, FaceTime, text and email. 

  • If facility staff assist in setting up equipment, request that they leave the resident's room, so you're able to chat privately.

  • If the resident doesn't know how to use the technology, ask local libraries or senior centers to provide training via phone call or video chat.

  • Ask family and friends to send short video greetings that residents can watch at any time. Residents can record videos to send in response.

  • Set up Skype or FaceTime so residents can communicate with each other within the facility.

  • Use the facility's Contac Us page on their website as a way to contact residents.

• Meet through windows or arrange a time for a visit through a glass door.

• Send a virtual hello to brighten the day of residents who can't receive visitors by recording a short video and uploading it to this Facebook page.

• Children can participate in the Maine Notes for Seniors initiative by writing notes, uploading a drawing, or sending a short video to residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. 

• Take care of your mental health (and offer resources and suggestions to your loved ones) while social distancing. 

  • The American Psychological Association and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) offer tips.

• Brainstorm ideas for maintaining regular activities while isolating like playing bingo by using call lights, conducting an exercise class via video chat, or playing individual games like bowling in the hallway.

  • Visit the National Certification Council for Activity Professional's COVID-19 webpage and watch LinkedSenior's recent webinar for more ideas.

• Encourage facilities to boost staff numbers to increase one-on-one time with residents.

• Set up a video chat or live stream where residents and family members can share best practices for communicating, keeping active and self-care strategies.

• Use the facility's internal TV channel to communicate information and broadcast entertainment.

• If family members do resident laundry or deliver food, set up a drive-through system to exchange items without needing to enter the building.

• Think of creative ways to bring entertainers into the facility, like:

  • If many residents have outward-facing windows, ask local musicians to perform outdoors.

  • Use the intercom system to play music or conduct sing-a-longs.

  • Video chat with local performers or friends, family members, and staff who have hidden talents.

• Discover new books, audio books and magazines to read, and make use of free online resources to access them, like the app, Libby.

• Utilize free online resources like performances from The Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, Philharmonie Berlin, Broadway performers and more.

• Visit world-famous museums or libraries (Library of Congress; UN World Digital Library) virtually.

• Stay connected to the outside world by watching webcams from all over the world, including zoos, volcanoes, the International Space Station, and more.

• Live stream church services.

Hide

If you are not on social media and would like to participate, email info@theconsumervoice.org and include a completed photo release form for all those who appear in the photo.

See How Others Are Showing #LoveFromADistance

Back to Top

Additional Resources

• National Center on Elder Abuse: Keeping Family Together During COVID-19: A Checklist

• National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC): Tips for Ombudsman Program Communication with Residents, Long-Term Care Facilities, Families and the Public During COVID-19

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: Supporting Your Loved One in a Long-Term Care Facility

• Alzheimer's Association: List of COVID-19 Resources

• National Center on Law & Elder Rights: Advance Care Planning and COVID-19 (May 2020)

• Government Accountability Office Report: Infection Control Deficiencies Were Widespread and Persistent in Nursing Homes Prior to COVID-19 Pandemic (5/20/20)

• Institute on Aging: Frequently Asked Questions and Resource Guide on COVID-19 Related Scams; FAQs also available in Spanish, Chinese, and Russian

• Kaiser Family Foundation: Data Note: Requirements for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities in Response to COVID-19 Vary Across States

• Kaiser Family Foundation: State Reporting of Cases and Deaths Due to COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (4/23/2020)

• Frequently Asked Questions by Guardians about the COVID-19 Pandemic from ABA Commission on Law and Aging, National Center for State Courts, and National Guardianship Association

• AARP: 6 Questions to Ask if Your Loved One is in a Nursing Home

• Alzheimer's Association: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Dementia Caregivers in Long-Term or Community-Based Settings

• AMDA: COVID-19 in PALTC settings

• NORC's COVID-19 and Infection Prevention Pages

Back to Top