Nursing homes and long-term care facilities without any coronavirus cases among residents and staffers in the last 28 days can allow visitors on a limited basis. According to the Associated Press, only 22 of the more than 600 nursing homes in the state have submitted a safety plan to allow for limited visits.
Among the few that are allowing visitors again is The GreenFields Continuing Care Community, though only GreenField Terrace and GreenField Court are currently allowing visitors.
There is a ten percent limit of visitors to the number of residents at a home. GreenFields is also keeping visitors outside of the nursing home.
"They didn't want people coming into the facilities which we can totally understand," Koenig said. "All the visitors have to be screened. They have to get their temperatures taken. We really have to make sure that the visitations are staffed. It's gotten a lot of feedback from families that can't wait to get in and help their loved ones and give them a kiss. We can totally understand that, but to maintain that distancing and keeping residents safe, we have to make sure somebody is there to keep somebody there to keep everybody safe."
Visitations are by appointment only and limited to one visit per resident per week. Hours vary depending on their location.
GreenFields has been fortunate compared to other nursing homes in Erie County. There have been 263 deaths at nursing homes in Erie County and another 44 in Niagara County. No one has died at GreenField. There has also been zero deaths Briarwood Manor, an assisted living facility in Lockport.
"We're faced with so many responsibilities because of COVID," Mark Ferreri, Vice President and Administrator at Briarwood Manor, said. "It's tough with staffing levels and the amount of extra things that we have to do in preparation for visitors. I think (ten percent) is probably a pretty good number. I think if you are allowing people inside your building, you're opening yourself up to a potential with COVID. I think if you do visitation outside, I feel you have the ability to do more with just being outside and in that environment."
Additional guidance on nursing home visitation can be found by clicking here. For additional clarity on a specific nursing home, you should contact that facility.
