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The strict isolation of nursing homes at the start of the Corona crisis put a lot of strain on residents. Experts warn of new isolates. Some rules are too strict, says the Federal Government Commissioner.
The federal government nursing officer cautioned against overly strict crown requirements in nursing homes and nursing homes. “There are very good concepts. In some cases, however, there are also rules that are too strict according to the current state of knowledge,” Andreas Westerfellhaus told the Funke media group newspapers. “Even if there is a limited outbreak, a facility should not be reflexively closed back to visitors.”
He called on nursing homes and nursing homes to develop pragmatic visiting rules during the Corona period. “The isolation of residents as in the first lockdown must not happen again,” said Westerfellhaus. At the same time, he expressed his understanding for the difficult situation of the home administration. “Many fear to risk infection outbreaks with overly open visiting concepts and then be ridiculed.”
The guide is intended to provide assistance
A guide that the nursing officer developed in conjunction with the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) expert council should assist in developing visiting concepts. The initial edition of 14,000 copies of the booklet should now be sent to nursing homes and nursing homes and should also be available on the nursing officer’s website. “It is an orientation, not a legally binding regulation: each facility can develop its own visit concepts on this basis,” Westerfellhaus explained.
According to the report, this also includes recommending to announce home address visits on time and clarifying whether a quick test is helpful. “This is particularly important in the Christmas season: if 100 members out of 70 residents stand in front of the door at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, then the nurses can’t do it. Measure fever, record personal data, talk to who refuse to mask or even plan 15 minutes per quick test, that doesn’t work, “says Westerfellhaus.
Pragmatic solutions are required
He advocated pragmatic solutions. “For people with cognitive impairment, people with masks can be irritating,” said the nurse. “In such cases, it’s okay if you keep enough distance and briefly remove the mask from your face when greeting him to make yourself recognizable.”
Individual institutions have also introduced visitation bans for children. “That has not been scientifically proven.” You should not come to visit four grandchildren from three homes. “But those who behave wisely in the days before and reduce their contacts should again be able to come with a child.”
There are also homes where, for hygiene reasons, even birthday gifts are initially stored in the basement for some time. “Based on current knowledge of the risk of infection, this is unnecessary.” Anyone who wants to bring gifts or flower arrangements to a person who needs care for Christmas should be able to do so. It is also desirable that family members can visit their relatives in their rooms and not have to meet in group rooms.
More help is needed for staff in homes
The board of the German Foundation for Patient Protection called for more practical help for staff in nursing homes. “We don’t need advice on caring for the elderly, we actually need practical help,” Eugen Brysch said at the Morning magazine since ARD and ZDF. It is urgent to clarify where the rapid tests can be obtained, who guarantees the quality of the tests and who performs the tests, both for visitors and staff.
Brysch advocated the creation of special “task forces” for nursing homes. The Bundeswehr and voluntary medical services could help here, he said. The German Foundation for Patient Protection represents the interests of seriously ill, care-dependent and dying people.
