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Decatur, GA 30030

404-549-5001

COVID19 and Nursing Homes

There are strong opinions as to whether we have a serious COVID19 problem in the United States or if it is just a problem for people living in nursing homes. The first big outbreak of the Coronavirus in the US was in in February at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington. Between February 19 and March 11, 26 residents had died with 13 confirmed deaths from COVID19.

Closer to home for me as my first, long-term client in a local nursing home in Georgia died from COVID19 this last week.  As of April 24th, the facility had 35 patients with positive tests and 11 positive employees.

It is understandable how the disease was so widespread in the beginning when medical professionals believed patients had influenza. But, by April, facilities should be screening their employees before every shift to minimize bringing the disease into the facilities where it can be spread so rampantly. Many nursing homes have two to four patients per room. Even when quarantined there is still a huge risk of spreading it.  The state has issued guides for facilities on how to conduct business to minimize the risk of spreading COVID19, which you can see here: https://dph.georgia.gov/covid-19-long-term-care-facilities.

As an elder care attorney, and a nurse’s aide in a nursing home when I was much younger, this troubles me terribly. Not just the high risk of our most vulnerable population of getting and dying from COVID19, but the fact that they are quarantined from their families who cannot spend what may possibly be their last living days together. Patients still have rights and should be able to be discharged into hospice care or home to die with family.  The guidance actually allows for this, but in my client’s case, she was tested and diagnosed with COVID19 for over a week before the family was notified, and then it was only a couple days before she died.

What also troubles me is that no matter what is happening with the containment of the virus, the elderly and frail still need nursing home level of care. We assist our clients in securing a bed in nursing homes. It is scary now to think of recommending any place. Yet, care just cannot be adequately or financially feasibly at home sometimes. So we must recommend a place to move into.

Fortunately, now, all nursing homes in the state of Georgia are required to provide a DAILY report of patients that test positive for COVID-19 to the health department.  If you have a loved one that is in immediate need of placement into a skilled nursing facility, this is a good resource to review when making your decision.  Go to: https://dch.georgia.gov/announcement/2020-04-28/long-term-care-facility-covid-19-report for frequently asked questions and the daily reports.

The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC doing business as The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm is here to help you make the right placement decisions and qualify or Medicaid to ensure your loved one is in a safe environment and not spending more income or assets than necessary.  If you have a family member in a nursing home or need to move to one, please call us now to discuss your options.

 

You can contact us at: 404-370-0696

 

   

Looking to find an experienced estate lawyer in the Georgia area who is skilled in asset protection and estate plan preparation? Shannon Pawley is an attorney in Georgia with expertise in estate planning and asset protection. Shannon can provide assistance with creating an estate plan to include making a will and how to establish a trust properly. If you have questions about asset protection or questions about making an estate plan, reach out to Shannon and she will be glad to help answer all the estate planning questions you might have!

 
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