Mohave Today

Gov. Doug Ducey has established the Task Force on Long-Term Care to develop how and when long-term care facilities can once again allow visitation for their residents.

“Throughout this pandemic, we have focused on protecting those most at risk, especially our seniors and vulnerable adults,” Ducey said in a press release from his office. “Many of us have family and loved ones in these facilities and are looking for guidance on when it may be safe to visit them again. This task force will bring together public health officials, medical experts, senior advocates, private sector leaders, legislators and family members to help us chart the path forward and develop sound policy as it relates to long-term care facilities. My thanks to all members of this Task Force for your work to protect our seniors while ensuring they can remain connected to family and loved ones.”

Long-term care facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities have had visitation restrictions for months, with the COVID-19 pandemic threatening the health and safety of residents. While it protects residents from the coronavirus, it keeps them from visiting with their friends and families. 

The task force will be making recommendations on when visitation can be resumed and the best way to keep families informed about the decisions made, according to the press release. 

“Safely reuniting families with loved ones in long-term care facilities is a critical component of Arizona’s response to COVID-19,” Dana Kennedy, AARP state director and member of the Task Force On Long-Term Care, said in the press release. “By establishing a task force with such broad and diverse representation of impacted interests, AARP is encouraged that a timely and responsible solution will be developed that will simultaneously protect public health, family members and their loved ones, as we bring families back together in the safest way possible.”