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DENISE avatar

Hello All! After nearly 5 months of restrictions, my long-term care facility is planning to reopen for outdoor visitation in the next 1-2 weeks, following all CDC and state guidelines. I was wondering if anyone has any creative ideas for setting up outdoor visitation spaces for our residents to visit with their loved ones? I was also wondering if anyone has any insight on ways your activities department is incorporating recreation programs into these outdoor family visits? In my facility, the activity team will be escorting residents outside as well as monitoring visits and ensuring that all participants are following/meeting all recommended guidelines/expectations.

Susan avatar

Hi Denise

We did not have many outdoor areas for residents to use initially

However the residents kept bringing it up at resident Council meetings

Thus the facility made areas for them

This was before the pandemic

I think it’s so important to have outdoor areas for the residents to use

Anyway we did reminiscing trivia gardening. and exercise

I think you need to make sure that the residents follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks and also their family members need to as well

You should find out how many residents want to go outside and designate certain times for going outside

After you determine this contact the family members and tell them what was decided and hopefully they will agree

If not you will have to figure out what works best

There probably will be some trial and error

Hopefully you will be able to figure it out

There may be some residents want to go outside but their family is unable to come so make sure to include some of these residents some of the time

Jean avatar

We have set up a gazebo outside with a table and two chairs, one each end of the table in order to ensure social distancing. the table has a perspex screen across it and PPE is required to be worn by both parties. Only 1 visitor at a time by appointment and only 1 staff member is involved in taking the resident out. The system is working well and everyone respects the rules.

Susan avatar

Hi Jean

Thank you for your input

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Jacqulyn Thorns

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