Staying Connected with Friends and Family Members Living in Long-Term Care Facilities

Share #LoveFromADistance

With new directives placing strict limits on visitors to nursing homes and many assisted living facilities taking similar precautions, friends and families of residents living in long-term care facilities are using creative ways to stay in touch with their loved ones.

We want to see how you are showing love while social distancing.  Residents, family members and friends are invited to post photos and share tips on how they're staying connected to their loved ones during the pandemic. See examples of how others are sending love in this article and on Pennsylvania's Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Volunteers Facebook.

Use #lovefromadistance and tag us -

Facebook: @theconsumervoice

Twitter: @ConsumerVoices

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.

Creative Ideas and Best Practices for Staying Connected During the Pandemic

• Find new ways to communicate:
• Communicate via letters and cards.
• Use technology - video chat, FaceTime, text and email. Ask facility staff to facilitate residents using technology; reach out to local libraries and senior centers to provide training on technology via phone or video chat.
  
• Ask family and friends to send short video greetings that residents can watch at any time.
• 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.
  
• Brainstorm ideas to maintain regular activities while isolating, like playing bingo using call lights or conducting an exercise class via video chat.
• Visit the National Certification Council for Activity Professional's COVID-19 webpage and watch LinkedSenior's recent webinar for more ideas.
• Think of creative ways to bring entertainment into the facility:
• If many residents have outward-facing windows, ask local musicians to perform outdoors.
• Video chat with local performers or friends, family members, and staff who have hidden talents.
• Access the many online resources for free opera and symphony performances and museum and art gallery virtual visits.
  
• See even more suggestions and best practices on Consumer Voice's webpage.
  

COVID-19 Resources for Residents, Family Members, Ombudsman Programs, and Other Advocates

• Visit Consumer Voice's coronavirus information page for up-to-date information on CMS guidance and more resources.
• Visit NORC's coronavirus information page for information specifically for long-term care ombudsman programs.