Minnesota Makes New Guide for Assisted Living, Long-Term Care Visits

The state of Minnesota is issuing new guidelines to help long-term care and assisted-living communities reopen to visitors, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the United States, reports the St. Cloud Times . "Loneliness, depression, isolation, and heartbreak are all safety issues," said state Deputy Ombudsman for Long-Term Care Aisha Elmquist. "Everyone needs others, including those who live in long-term care settings." Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm unveiled visitation guidance with the goal to "maximize the health and well being" of residents in these communities. The guidance recommends communities set up a two-tier system allowing for visits and trips outside the community if COVID-19 is contained, and then limit those visits and mandate more testing when there is a spike. Precautions for visitors like masks and screening are also advised. "The long-term care sector as a whole is working very hard to keep these communities as safe as possible and have gotten significantly better in partnership with the state Health Department and other resources in managing cases," Malcolm said.