ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) - Advocates say isolating people in nursing homes during the pandemic, likely led to other health problems. New federal legislation that would open up long-term care to select family members. "For so long during the pandemic, residents and family members weren't able to visit at all," explains Marjorie Moore, Executive Director of VOYCE, and advocacy group for nursing care residents, "For a long time family members were locked out completely"
The Essential Caregivers Act introduced in the U.S. House would allow each resident of long term care to appoint two caregivers. "So what this would do is, in the event that facilities would have to shut down in the future, because of a pandemic or other reason, those residents would still access to the people closest to them."
Moore says to protect other residents of a facility, those designated caregivers would be bound by the same health standards as long-term care staff. "The same sort of checks would be required, they need to go through certain training, they have to wear the same sort of PPE that staff is required to use."
The Essential Caregivers Act has 14 co-sponsors in Congress, both Democrat and Republican.
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