Thread by @NathanStall

The approach to "reopening" nursing and retirement homes in Ontario is 1) misinformed, 2) overly restrictive, 3) prone to abuse, 4) not evidence-based, 5) inequitable, and 6) stinks of ageism.

Let me break down the changes announced by the @ONgov: news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/06…

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Misinformed: the reopening policies still fail to recognize that many of these so-called "visitors" are family caregivers, essential partners in care who provide hands-on care and support to residents: medium.com/in-this-time-o…

@MaggieKeresteci @SolidFooting @clairehsnyman

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Overly restrictive: for frail older nursing home residents with limited life expectancies, restricting them to one outdoor visit a week by one visitor is not enough: files.ontario.ca/mltc-resuming-…

We are robbing residents and their family and friends of precious limited time.

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Prone to abuse: homes can easily claim they don't have the procedures, staffing, or PPE to support visitations, and doors will remain shut. In the retirement home where my grandmother lives, they reserve the right to create and implement their own more conservative policies.

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Not evidence-based: the policies require all visitors to "attest [that they have] tested negative for COVID19 within the previous 2 weeks and subsequently not tested positive": files.ontario.ca/msaa-reopening…

What infectious diseases and public health evidence informed this policy?

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Inequitable: the need for testing prior to visitation disadvantages those who are unable to present to COVID19 assessment centres (e.g. frail older adult spouses). Homes also get to the schedule visits, which will be difficult for those without flexibility in their lives.

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Ageism: our entire response to this pandemic has been marred by ageism, and this reopening seems to involve everyone else but older adults.

Has anyone asked older adults what they want? Many might accept a little more risk if it meant not remaining isolated and lonely.

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