AARP Alabama Responds to Governor Ivey's New Policy on Nursing Home Visitation

AARP Alabama has released the following statement regarding Governor Ivey's September 30 announcement of a new policy on nursing home visitation:

“Resuming in-person visitation in Alabama’s nursing homes is good news for families who have struggled during these past six months without visits.  Social interaction with family and friends is critical to the overall health and well-being of all long-term care residents. We encourage the state to ensure the implementation of the new federal guidance and its person-centered approach to visitation, which goes well beyond Alabama’s one size fits all, one visitor per resident approach.

Balancing the resident’s need for social interaction and right to visitation with the importance of minimizing exposure and risk of COVID-19 transmission to all residents, families and staff can be accomplished. It will be critical that all long-term care facilities strictly adhere to and enforce infection control procedures and guidelines. For those who are unable to visit, AARP urges that facilities must make virtual visitation available.

Given that approximately 40% of COVID-19 deaths have occurred in Alabama’s nursing homes, AARP’s overarching goal has been and continues to be ensuring the safety and well-being of our loved ones who reside in these facilities.”