Care Centers Restricting Visitors To Protect Utah’s Elderly From COVID-19
Mar 13, 2020, 10:36 PM | Updated: 11:14 pm
BOUNTIFUL, Utah — Legacy House of Bountiful sent out a text to family members of their residents Friday letting them know they are no longer accepting visitors. This is a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our most vulnerable population, and there was no mention of when the restrictions would be lifted.
Rachelle Homer was on her way to pick up her 88-year-old mother when she got the message.
“We were planning to have a family birthday dinner celebration and grandma was going to be a part of it,” Homer said. “She understands why they are doing it and of course she doesn’t want to get sick.”
Homer said these restrictions would drastically change her mom’s everyday life.
“So much of what I do for my mom is just literally getting her out, just saying, OK let’s go to lunch,” she said.
Interaction with family members will now by telephone and weekly tasks will also need to be adjusted.
“My brother does her laundry…and brings it back for her all folded so I’m not sure what that will entail,” she said.
Holmer said although she understands why the decision was made, she wishes she would have had a heads up if possible.
“We would have been able to stock up on supplies that she needs,” she said. “You know if this goes on for days, weeks it will be a lot.”
Homer said families have been given permission to drop off items to their loved ones.
KSL reached out to Legacy House of Bountiful to see if they would be helping their clients communicate with family, perhaps through FaceTime or Skype calls, but had not heard back as of Friday night.
