Should I Move My Loved One Home Because of COVID-19?
It’s completely understandable if you’ve recently found yourself wondering whether or not your loved one is safer at home or in an assisted living community such as Autumn Leaves. We’re all worried for the safety of our families, both near and far. Geriatrician and Chief Medical Officer of the American Healthcare Association and the National Center for Assisted Living, David Gifford, shared this urgent message on the subject: “Moving an older adult from a long-term care center is risky and could have long-lasting impacts.” Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend moving your loved one during this time for a number of reasons.
Consider that germs and infections are not nearly as contained in the public, or even in your home, as they are in our communities where enhanced infection prevention and disinfection protocol is practiced round-the-clock. We have put extensive measures in place to mitigate risk of exposure to the best of our ability, most notably by limiting visitors to our community to only those who are vital to the care and well-being of our residents. Put simply, there are far more unknown risk factors outside our community that could potentially increase the likelihood of exposure. There is also the serious issue of isolation and loneliness. In a community setting, residents are still able to enjoy the camaraderie of friends in small group settings where they can participate in a variety of engaging activities designed specifically for them. They are also able to maintain contact with family through video chats and phone calls, among other modes of communication. In addition, their meals and snacks are prepared in a sanitized environment that meets the strict health and food safety guidelines of each state.
But perhaps most important is that your loved one may have complex needs that are best met by a trained staff who work in shifts to ensure comprehensive 24 hour care. Caring for someone in your home is an incredibly difficult undertaking, and is likely the reason you made the difficult decision for full-time care – for the ultimate safety and well-being of the ones you love most. We hope this gives you some peace of mind during this difficult time, but invite you to reach out to your Executive Director if you have any questions or concerns.