My name is Christi Wolter and I am a registered nurse. I am a retired navy veteran and spent 27 years serving my country. My mother was a big supporter of my career since I was a single active duty military parent. My mother was also a resident in PruittHealth in Fleming Island in Clay County from 03/23/2020 to 07/27/2020 when she was moved into a hospice center and then passed away on 08/01/2020. She suffered significant decline from loneliness and anxiety because of the isolation due to the ban on visitation. The care she received was below standard yet difficult to identify since family members were not allowed to enter the facilities. I presented concerns to the nurse manager, nurse navigator, social worker, and director but there was always a defense for actions of staff, including when they chose not to wear their masks. My mother paid the ultimate price for the ban on visitation...she passed away but I’m still here to advocate for those who need hugs, touch, holding, kisses from their loved ones. Not even Ombudsman’s are allowed to enter these facilities and yet they are the advocates for the residents.

There is a task force that was assigned by the governor to come up with how to implement a plan on reopening nursing homes for visitations. There was a conference on Friday regarding essential caregivers as it related to visitation, who is an essential caregiver, and how often they should be allowed to visit. An essential caregiver not only provides assistance with ADLs, they provide stimulation and engagement in activities...practices not being done by staff at all. Essential Caregivers should be the one person identified who can come in and be by the residents side even if it’s just to sit and read, do puzzles, paint nails, brush hair, talk, eat, or do ADLs. It has been proven that cognitive decline is associated with isolation, not engaging in activities outside of watching TV.

Additionally, it should not be an option to allow essential caregivers inside at the discretion of the facility administrators. I offered several options to allow me in and they even told me I’d have to take a course on caregiving or go work for a company that contracts into their facility. I am a registered nurse of over 20 years with management experience and bedside experience...why would I need to take a caregiver course? That was just an obstacle to prevent me from gaining access. The facility will not open windows nor will they bring residents outside to visit. So giving options to facilities is not ideal...besides we as family members, were not given options.

Proper PPE wearing, hand washing, screening, and identification of an essential caregiver would be a great start. Please look at the Caregivers for Compromise on Facebook. It’s very sad and eye opening. A lot can be learned about the inconsistencies and misinterpretations of policies and recommendations. So many of us disheartened and feeling like we are continuously running into a brick wall or being given the run around. Lots of sad stories of residents declining and no one knows what we are going through until they actually have a loved one in a LTCF or ALF. 

Very Respectfully,
Christi Wolter, BSN, RN
USN NC Ret