RALEIGH – New restrictions have been put in place for skilled nursing facilities across North Carolina, as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in the state’s most vulnerable population. 

RESTRICTIONS

While state and CDC guidelines have been in place since early March, regarding social restrictions in long-term care environments, those guidelines are now mandatory for all skilled nursing facilities in North Carolina. Although assisted living and retirement communities don’t fall under the new mandate, Gov. Cooper urges those and other long-term care facilities to abide by the suggestions. Newly mandated restrictions include:

• No dining or group activities in common spaces

• Mandatory facemasks for all employees

• Required screening of employees and residents for symptoms of illness

• Isolation of residents that test positive for COVID-19

• Treatment of COVID-19 positive residents with separate staff

LOCAL NURSING HOMES AHEAD OF THE CURVE

Nursing homes like Cadence Senior Living in Mint Hill, NC and White Oak of Waxhaw, NC have been in the practice of social distancing guidelines since early March when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rolled out their suggestions. In efforts to protect their vulnerable populations, these communities took precautions early on such as:

• Mandatory employee temperature checks

• Restriction of visitation

• Screening of approved palliative care visitors

• Increased hand washing

• Increased sanitization of surfaces

• Implementation of personal protective equipment

GETTING CREATIVE

These types of social restrictions have surely been difficult for residents of long-term care facilities. While faculty and staff at area nursing homes are constantly striving to meet guidelines and protect the health of their patients, they are hard at work raising spirits as well.

Residents at White Oak of Waxhaw are hallway bowling, and planting bean sprouts for their windowsills, as they enjoy the many cards that continue to pour in from well-wishers. There is even a staff email, wecarewx@whiteoakmanor.com, where you can send love and encouragement to the residents and staff. Cadence Senior Living is holding individual Easter celebrations from a distance, and even implementing family video calls to keep residents connected to loved ones. Entertainment hasn’t been forgotten at Cadence Senior Living either, with residents making YouTube and TikTok videos that can be seen here.

Follow Cadence Senior Living at Mint Hill and White Oak of Waxhaw on Facebook to see how you can help these facilities combat COVID-19, and the side effects of social distancing. For an in-depth look at the most up to date guidelines for long-term care facilities and nursing homes, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/long-term-care.html