The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care sets the policies for visitors to long-term care homes during COVID-19. In spite of high rates of vaccination in long-term care homes, the only permitted visitation is with “essential caregivers” who are required to wear full protective equipment (masks, gowns, gloves) and remain socially distanced at all times. It has been 14 months since anyone has held the hand of their loved-one, or seen their face without a mask!

Seniors move into these homes toward the end of their lives. The average senior lives about three years in a long-term care home before passing away. Many have therefore spent almost one-half of the average stay deprived of close contact with family. That’s not living. It’s barely existing, and our seniors are suffering.

We support all of the efforts that have been taken to try to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus in long-term care homes, and as a result of these efforts we think the time has come to relax the requirements. Residents in these homes have been vaccinated, family visitors (essential caregivers) have been vaccinated and most workers have been vaccinated. Workers are also regularly tested, and visitors must have a negative test before seeing their loved one. We’ve done all this to make sure residents and staff are safe. It is now time to let them interact with family members and begin to live again for the little time they have left. What are we waiting for?