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Visitation Saves Lives: Day of Action June 30th

June 29, 2020

The visitation ban in long-term care facilities, in place for more than 100 days now, has been an extreme hardship for residents and their families.  While it’s hard on all of us to experience missed birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s days, unable to see each other in-person, hold a hand or give a hug, the ban has been extremely traumatic for residents of long term care and nursing homes, resulting in significant physical and psychosocial decline, and sometimes death.

Join us in calling on state and federal agencies to permit every long-term care resident to designate an Essential Support Person who will be permitted to visit onsite, following the same screening and infection control protocols as staff. 

Connection matters as much as protecting residents and staff from the virus.

Take Action on Tuesday, June 30th:

• Share a video, photo or statement about what the visitation ban has meant for you and your loved ones and tell us why you visit
  • Include a photo with your loved one living in a facility
• Use #Connection Matters and #VisitationSavesLives
• Let us know: Tag @ConsumerVoices on Twitter and @theconsumervoice on Facebook
• Let decisionmakers know: Tag @SeemaCMS, @CMSgov, and your own state Governor, state Dept. of Public Health, and licensing agency for assisted living
• Share your story in an email to: Seema.verma@cms.hhs.gov and your own state Governor
• Submit your story to us on our website
• Find more information on our COVID-19 page and at visitationsaveslives.com

Sample Tweets:

• Nursing home residents haven't seen their families in 100 days.  Connection matters as much as protecting residents and staff from the virus. We can support residents' needs and still protect residents and staff. #ConnectionMatters #VisitationSavesLives @SeemaCMS @CMSgov
• COVID-19 triggered a ban on family visitation with nursing home residents. We're likely months away from full visitation, but residents can't wait. We can employ practices providing the supports residents need & still protect residents and staff. #VisitationSavesLives
• When to allow visitors in nursing homes must be based on person-centered principles. Residents need access to Essential Support Persons now. #ConnectionMatters #VisitationSavesLives

Sample Email:

Dear [Decisionmaker]:

The visitation ban in long-term care facilities, in place for more than 100 days now, has been an extreme hardship for residents and their families.  While it’s hard on all of us to experience missed birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s days, unable to see each other in-person, hold a hand or give a hug, the ban has been extremely traumatic for residents of long term care and nursing homes, resulting in significant physical and psychosocial decline, and sometimes death.

[Share Your Story]

Each resident should be allowed to designate an Essential Support Person who is permitted to visit onsite, following the same screening and infection control protocols as staff.  

The reality of this crisis is that we are likely many months away from full visitation in long-term care facilities.  Many residents simply cannot wait.  We have a moral obligation to employ sensible practices that provide critical social connection and support to residents.

Connection matters as much as protecting residents and staff from the virus.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]