Complaints Prompt R.I. to Reinforce Visitation Compliance at Long-Term Care Communities

WPRI 12 reports that the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is calling on the state's long-term care communities to again permit visitations. RIDOH spokesperson Joseph Wendelken cited complaints from the families and friends of residents regarding visitation, including one where a resident was only allowed one visit within a three-week period. "Now that the COVID-19 vaccine and spring have arrived, RIDOH's expectation is that visitation will increase and communities will begin to achieve pre-COVID-19 visitation levels," he noted. Scott Fraser at the Rhode Island Health Care Association denied knowledge of any long-term care communities that are refusing visitation, unless directed to do so by RIDOH. "We still must follow strict, and sometimes conflicting, guidelines," he explained. "We are doing our best to meet all the requirements." Wendelken emphasized the latest state visitation guidelines for facilities to review, which include providing "reasonable visiting hours" of at least four hours per day and allowing "immediate access to residents by properly identified appropriate government personnel, family members, physicians, and relatives."