Visiting Restrictions Loosen for Many Senior Independent Living Communities in Pennsylvania

Independent living communities across Pennsylvania are beginning to permit visitors as the state moves forward on its coronavirus reopening plans, reports PennLive . "We would certainly recommend these operators assess their facility and its potential exposure and take steps to protect residents," said a state health department spokesperson. "In addition, certainly if there is a location that is dealing with concerns, the department would work with them to determine what the best approach would be." Such places are devoted to seniors who are capable of living on their own but want to reside in a community setting. They are neither nursing nor assisted living communities, which are restricting visitors until at least 28 days after their county moves into the green phase. On June 12, Messiah Lifeway's Messiah Village in Upper Allen Township started allowing non-essential visitors, encouraging all visits to take place outdoors or within the resident's apartment or cottage. Masks and social distancing also are advised. "Residential living residents are independent and live on their own in cottages and apartment buildings at Messiah Village, so Messiah Lifeways has tried to balance that independence with our responsibility to do what we can to protect everyone on campus," said Messiah Lifeways' Kim Valvo.