key: cord-259787-2sjnsb7m
authors: Schlaudecker, Jeffrey D.
title: Essential Family Caregivers in Long-term Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic
date: 2020-05-21
journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.05.027
sha: 
doc_id: 259787
cord_uid: 2sjnsb7m

Brief Summary: In the months stretching out ahead of us in the prevention of COVID-19, we must keep our residents safe from the risk of circulating virus, but we also must promote person-centered geriatric care allowing family presence as essential care partners.

Four decades ago, my parents were not permitted to hold their dying infant because they were 4 'visitors' to the ICU. I learned from them that our healthcare policies sometimes carry huge 5 human costs. As a geriatrician and medical director of a long-term care facility, I have learned 6 that family members are not merely visitors; family members are critical partners in our care. 7

The practice of social distancing and physical separation is important to keep our residents in 8 long-term care facilities (LTC) safe in the COVID-19 pandemic, but the time has come to revise 9 our policies allowing family presence at the bedside of loved ones. Our facility has recognized the critical role that family members play as partners in the care of 25 our residents. We continue to limit the number of persons coming into the building through 26 restricted visitors and volunteers; but, we are now designating Essential Family Caregivers 27 (EFCs). These EFCs are not there for social visits, but instead provide services that otherwise 28 would require a private duty caregiver, such as one-on-one direction or especially time-29 intensive hand feedings. EFCs are brought into the building under the same specific protocols 30 used with staff. (See Table)  31 32 Compassion, as well as optimal geriatrics care, requires family members be allowed at the 33 bedside of their loved ones not only in the final hours of life. In the months stretching out 34 ahead of us in the prevention of COVID-19, we must keep our residents safe from the risk of 35 circulating virus. We also must promote person-centered geriatric care allowing family 36 presence as essential caregivers. 37

COVID-19 and Patient-and Family-Centered Care Frequently Asked Questions

The author reports no conflicts of interest

Acknowledgements: The author wishes to thank Keesha Goodnow for her support