Utah Health Dept. Says Family Visits OK at Some Assisted Living Communities

The Utah Department of Health has published new family visitation guidelines for assisted living communities, including those caring for residents with dementia, reports the Salt Lake Tribune . The guidelines recommend that visits take place outside, if possible, while both residents and their families should be masked and at least six feet apart. The visits also should only be permissible if there are no coronavirus cases at the community, and if the visitors pass a healthcare screening. The health department stressed that visits to any memory care units should only occur outside and if the resident is able to keep his or her mask on and maintain physical distancing. Staff also should oversee visits to both the memory care units and other parts of the assisted living community to ensure compliance by everyone involved. Bans on in-person family visits for residents at more-skilled care communities such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers remain in effect. The Utah Department of Health's Allyn Nakashima said long-term care communities are working hard to prevent infections, and once controls are in place the volume of community spread becomes a key factor in whether the virus penetrates the community.