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GERRY – One of the area’s largest nursing home facilities is working on a plan to reopen visitation this week.
Lisa Haglund, the CEO of Heritage Ministries, tells WNYNewsNow her team is currently working with other nursing homes in the area to draft a plan.
She says once procedures are outlined, her group will release the plan to the community.
“We need people to understand that even when we do reopen there is going to be a lot of protocols,” said Haglund. “We are only going to allow so many per hour, per day, per resident. If we just open the door, we would have 400 family members in 20 minutes and that is not safe.”
Haglund says those wishing to visit their family members would likely have to make an appointment beforehand. Additionally, she says reopening visitation does come with risks.
“While we want to do this, we want families to be with loved ones, we will increase our PPE (personal protective equipment) usage,” explained Haglund. “Right now, we have a shortage on gloves, we have enough for right now, but we proactively see that coming.”
The visitation plan will likely be released sometime this week. Haglund says each facility will unveil their plan individually.
Additionally, if an employee or resident tests positive for COVID-19, then visitation for that building will be suspended.
Assisted living facilities with Heritage Ministries have already begun allowing limited visitation.
Last week, the New York State Department of Health released guidance for nursing home facilities to reopen visitation.
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