Minnesota allows window visits at long-term care facilities

Jun 16, 20200

Richard Tsong-Taatarii count

Danielle Jin visited her mother, Juan Zhu, at an assisted-living facility in Vadnais Heights. Jin must talk to her mother at the window because the facility will not allow family members to visit during the coronavirus outbreak.

For residents of Minnesota's senior care facilities, one of the most wrenching aspects of the pandemic has been their extreme isolation from loved ones.

Since late March, visitors have been all but banned from nursing homes and assisted-living facilities across the state. Family members have been forced to leave care packages outside locked doors and wave at residents from a distance. Many have been forced to limit visits to remote video feeds.

"It has been utterly heartbreaking," said Jean Peters, a nurse and president of Elder Voice Family Advocates. "People are literally dying of loneliness."

https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-allows-window-visits-at-long-term-care-facilities/571278902/