Cuomo: ‘Now is not the time’ to bring parents to nursing homes

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Nursing homes serve a vital purpose — to care for the elderly and sick — but as states battle the coronavirus pandemic they’ve become a dangerous place for loved ones. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said people should reconsider sending their family members to that type of facility for now.

“We’ve tried everything to keep it out of a nursing home, but it’s virtually impossible,” he said. “Now is not the best time to put your mother in a nursing home.”

Senior-care facilities house some of the most vulnerable members of society. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said earlier this year elderly and immunocompromised people should stay home as much as possible, and avoid physical contact with others as often as they can. These groups are at a higher risk of complications after becoming infected, or worse, preliminary data have shown.

See: ‘I would rather him be lonely than dead’: How to manage when someone you love is in a nursing home

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the country are taking measures to prevent an outbreak. Many have locked down their centers and are no longer allowing visitors to enter. Families are trying to stay in touch with loved ones by visiting them at their windows, calling or video chatting when those services are available.

Since the first few U.S. cases in mid-February, about a fifth of the coronavirus deaths in this country have been linked to nursing homes, according to a New York Times report. The figure refers to people who were living in or connected to these facilities. Another 36,500 residents and employees have become infected during the same time frame, the report found.

Combating the coronavirus in these senior-focused centers has proven difficult. Many facilities, along with medical centers across the nation, say they do not have the proper gear to care for residents and protect employees. States and nursing homes are pleading for more high-grade medical masks, such as N95 masks, medical gowns and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Also see: Family members with relatives in nursing homes share their stories — and some bright spots in these dark days

An outbreak in a Washington state nursing home proved how deadly the virus can be to the elderly. Within a month of the initial case at the facility, at least 26 people died and dozens more were infected.

The CDC advised Americans to disinfect high-touch areas, like doorknobs and smartphones, and wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. More testing sites are being rolled out in the U.S., the Trump administration said, and medical workers and the elderly will be first priority for screening.

Originally Published on MarketWatch

 

Home of Science
Follow me

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Sports Direct-owner Mike Ashley lifts Asos and Hugo Boss stakeson October 24, 2022 at 7:21 am

Frasers Group, which is owned by billionaire Mike Ashley, is now the fourth-largest shareholder in Asos.Frasers Group, which is owned by billionaire Mike Ashley,...

Covid: Twitter suspends Naomi Wolf after tweeting anti-vaccine misinformationon June 6, 2021 at 7:54 am

The American author tweeted a wide-range of unfounded theories about vaccines.The American author tweeted a wide-range of unfounded theories about vaccines.

Brain implants help paralysed man to walk againon May 24, 2023 at 3:04 pm

A paralysed man has been able to walk simply by thinking about it, thanks to electronic brain implantsThis video can not be playedTo play...

Three off-duty Dutch commandos shot outside hotel in Indianapolison August 28, 2022 at 12:05 am

Police say the soldiers, who were in the US for training, were found with gunshot wounds early on Saturday.Image source, Dutch defence ministryThree Dutch...

The Papers: ‘Monster of the Met’ and ‘slapdown for Sturgeon’on January 17, 2023 at 2:26 am

Tuesday's papers largely focus on David Carrick, the police officer who has admitted to being a serial rapist.Tuesday's papers largely focus on David Carrick,...
Home of Science
Follow me