Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon have introduced new legislation in the State Assembly to allow visitation in nursing homes, allowing residents to designate a primary, secondary and alternate caregiver to assist them with their non-medical needs. Specifically, the bill establishes who may be an 'essential caregiver' as well as the procedures that are necessary to allow their entry into the nursing home setting for the purposes of providing support and care to a loved one. Caregivers would once again be able to provide the needed physical and emotional assistance, which would include bathing, brushing teeth, room cleaning, ensuring that a resident is eating well, providing emotional support, among any other needs that a resident needs to thrive. 

“The state has an obligation to work with nursing homes, families and residents to develop safe visitation policies and ensure residents are cared for and able to thrive,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “We must work on this using a regional approach, by assessing each region’s COVID-19 data at any given point in time and by working with infectious disease prevention staff within each nursing home to provide the safest care for the residents.”

“New York State has taken significant steps to re-open the economy and mass gatherings are happening on a daily basis even with restrictions in place, yet many who have loved ones in nursing homes are still waiting to know when they can visit their families again,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. Assemblyman Santabarbara notes that in some areas of the State there have been zero COVID-19 cases and still there has been no change to the restrictions currently in place. “People that have been without the physical support of their families for far too long. These individuals need to see their families again,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara. “This bill takes important steps toward restoring the emotional health of families, friends and neighbors that are struggling with loved ones isolated in nursing homes throughout COVID-19.” 

Nursing home residents have experienced physical and emotional hardship due to continued isolation throughout the COVID-19 crisis. The prolonged amount of time that these residents have been sequestered has exacted a toll on their wellbeing, including loneliness, a lack of motivation, neglected physical needs, and a general failure to thrive.