It’s a day that many people in long term care homes in Kamloops and across British Columbia have been waiting for.
The province is easing rules on visits to long term care homes and assisted living facilities, allowing residents to see friends and families in their rooms without staff supervision. They’ll also be able to hug and hold hands with their loved ones – something that hasn’t been possible for over a year because of COVID-19.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie called it a profound day of joy.
McKenzie cautioned that there may be a chance that people will notice a physical and cognitive decline in their loved ones. She says these changes tend to happen gradually but as people have not been able to visit over the past year, the changes may come as a shock.
“I think the important thing is for families to embrace the joyfulness of the reunion and to focus on that and not dwell on the separation and the difference they see in their loved ones because of that absence,” she said.
Mackenzie says while there are concerns with an increase in COVID cases in the province, most long term care residents have been vaccinated.
“And so there’s a lot of protection for the people living in long term care that’s not there for the general public. So from that perspective, I think we’re more confident that we would be able to continue on our course of these increases visitations and also there still are infection control measures in place,” she said.
The province says up to two adults and one child will be able to visit loved ones in care homes, and these visits will last for at least one hour for visits. All visitors will still be screened for COVID-19, and masks will be required.
“People are still going to be required to stay away if they are sick. They are still going to go through a health screening, likely still a temperature check and have their hand washing observed,” Mackenzie said. “So there are protocols in place to protect people in residential care more so than within the public at large.”
Its not just visitors, care home residents can will also be able to go on outings without needing to quarantine for two weeks when they return. Residents no longer need to maintain social distancing at all times from one another.
“They also get to connect with their friends in those nursing homes. They can have some activities resume. This will make a tremendous difference for quality of life,” BC Care Providers Association CEO, Terry Lake, told NL News, noting the easing of visitor restrictions is welcome news after a difficult year.
“I don’t think I have the words to express what this means to people that are living in long term care and assisted living or their families, because they get to connect with more people, their friends and relatives again.”
